Twin quakes leave at least 8 dead in Philippines

Manila: Two earthquakes that struck the archipelago of Batanes in the Philippines Saturday morning have left at least eight dead and 60 others injured, state media reported.

In a statement shared with country's state news agency, Renato Solidum, Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanoloygy and Seismology (Phivolcs) said, "The casualties are all from Itbayat due to the 4:16 a.m. magnitude 5.4 earthquake, and the 7:37 a.m. magnitude 5.9 quake. All casualties were due to damaged houses."

"As a precaution, people are staying in the open area like the plaza (in Itbayat)," he added.

The magnitude 5.9 quake that struck 21 km. northeast of Itbayat had a depth of 7 km.

The magnitude 5.4 quake hit 12 km. northeast of Itbayat and had a depth of 12 km. A magnitude 3.2 aftershock was recorded 68 km. southwest of Itbayat at 5:16 a.m.

Aftershocks were possible, said Solidum.

"Quick response is essential as there may be aftershocks," he added.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center announced it was on blue alert status effective noontime, as it monitored the effects of Itbayat earthquakes.

The Office of Civil Defense was also coordinating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of Health for the immediate dispatch of medical and rescue teams, it added.

Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte directed all concerned agencies to provide assistance to victims of the earthquakes.

"The president has been briefed on the situation and he directed all agencies to respond and undertake measures to provide assistance to the victims of this force majeure and rehabilitate the damaged properties in the areas," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

"Responsible instrumentalities of the national government, such as the Office of Civil Defense, are continuously coordinating with distressed local government units, including the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Batanes, as relief operations are going on and in full swing," Panelo said.

"We ask affected constituents to remain calm as we urge them to remain vigilant and cooperative to government response and relief teams," he added.