Magnitude 5.5 earthquake off Ilocos Norte

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the coast of Ilocos Norte on Tuesday morning, with initial reports indicating a stronger 5.8 magnitude before being revised by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The undersea tremor occurred at a depth of 43 kilometers, hitting 21 kilometers west of Pasuquin town in Ilocos Norte at 10:38 am.

It was felt at Intensity V in Bacarra, Laoag City, Pasuquin, and Vintar in Ilocos Norte, as well as Cabugao, Sinait, and Vigan City in Ilocos Sur. Intensities ranged from II to III in neighboring provinces such as Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and parts of Cagayan Valley.

Phivolcs warned that the quake could trigger aftershocks and advised residents to take necessary safety precautions despite no expected damage.