Deadly earthquakes rattle northern Philippine isles

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

At least eight people are dead and 60 more hurt after three strong earthquakes rocked islands in the northern Philippines on Saturday morning, local time.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck 2 miles (3 km) east-northeast of Itbayat, which is part of the Batanes Islands in the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan.

Two earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.7 and 5.9 then followed in the span of five hours.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

A resident looks at damaged houses in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines following the earthquakes Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

Damaged house lies in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

Damaged houses lie in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines following the earthquakes, Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

Rubble is seen inside a damaged house in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines after a strong earthquake struck on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

Rubble lies outside a damaged house in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines after a strong earthquake struck on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

A resident looks at damage in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines following the earthquakes Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

Damaged houses lie in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines following the earthquakes, Saturday, July 27, 2019.

Agnes Salengua Nico via AP

A damaged house remains in Itbayat town, Batanes islands, northern Philippines after strong earthquakes struck on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

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As aftershocks jolted Itbayat, one of the hardest-hit areas, over 2,000 residents were advised not to return to their homes and to instead stay in the town plaza, according to the Associated Press (AP). Around 2,800 people inhabit the island.

The bell tower on the 19th-century Santa Maria de Mayan Church, a popular tourist attraction, was severely cracked and then toppled over after the successive earthquakes.

Philippine Red Cross

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We are closely coordinating with hospitals and the LGU to identify the immediate needs in the area. On-ground assessments psychosocial support are set. #EarthquakePH

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Patients were evacuated from a damaged hospital, but later moved to a crammed basketball court due to heavy rain, according to the AP.

Seven of those injured sustained severe fractures and were airlifted out of Itbayat to receive further treatment.

Many homes made of stone and wood have collapsed.

“Our bed and everything were swaying from side to side like a hammock,” Roldan Esdicul, head of the Batanes provincial disaster-response office, told the AP. “We all ran out to safety.”

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There was no threat of a tsunami following the earthquakes.

Showers and thunderstorms erupting daily into early week can threaten ongoing cleanup and recovery operations. High temperatures will be near 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) each afternoon.