SCORES were injured after a magnitude 6.4 earthquake shook Abra Tuesday night.
According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, six of the injured were from Lagayan town, one from San Quintin while three from San Juan.
A post from the Facebook page of the province said one was also injured from Daguioman municipality.
The PDRRMO said some of those hurt were hit by falling debris during the earthquake.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake, which was tectonic in origin, occurred at 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday,
The epicenter of the tremor was 9 kms. northwest of Lagayan town.
As of 2 p.m. yesterday, the quake generated 466 aftershocks, according to Phivolcs.
Some churches, including the old church in Lapaza, and municipal halls were affected by the tremor.
A belfry of the chapel of the Philippine Independent Church collapsed due to the earthquake.
“Initially po, nung July 27, ‘yung unang earthquake dito po sa Abra nagkaroon po ng crack itong simbahan natin. Pero ngayon po, bumagsak na ‘yung belfry natin tsaka lumaki po ‘yung ibang crack sa loob,” Philippine Independent Church parish priest Father Christian Edward Abao said.
Landslides were reported along Abra-Kalinga road, Abra-Ilocos Norte road and in Tubo, Abra .
Classes and government offices in the province were suspended.
Abra Vice Gov. Joy Bernos said affected residents temporarily sought refuge on tents places outside the homes of the affected families.
A total of six houses in Lagayan were destroyed, while 40 others in Dilong, Tubo, San Quintin and Tineg were partially damaged.
Lagayan Mayor Edmarc Crisologo said the water system in his municipality was damaged, affecting 1,674 residents.
The mayor said potable water is now being delivered to the affected residents.
Last July 27, a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Tayum, Abra that left 11 people dead and 609 others injured.
