Philippines shaken by 7.1 quake; four killed, dozens injured

Manila: A strong earthquake in northern Philippines has killed four people and injured 60, the interior minister said on Wednesday.

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippine island of Luzon Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, badly damaging a hospital and buildings in a northern province and sending strong tremors through the capital, Manila. 

The Philippine seismology agency said landslides had been reported in some part of Abra, partocularly Manabo town, following the earthquake.

The earthquake struck about 11 km (six miles) southeast of the town of Dolores and at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles). 

A hospital in Abra province was evacuated after the building partially collapsed following the quake, but there were no casualties reported, said officials.

Abra governor Joy Bernos posted photos of the damaged Abra provincial hospital on her Facebook account which showed a gaping hole in the front entrance facade. Other photos showed hospital beds, including one with a patient, wheeled across the road and evacuated hospital staff.

"We are still experiencing aftershocks. We have received reports of damages to houses. But so far no casualties," said Mayor Rovelyn Villamor in the town of Lagangilang in Abra province.

"We don’t have power supply because that’s automatically cut off due to danger," Villamor told DZRH radio.

The earthquake lasted 30 seconds or more. 

The transport ministry stated that the quake was also felt in Manila and the city's metro rail system was halted at rush hour.