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LOOK: UNESCO World Heritage Sites Damaged by Magnitude 7.0 Earthquake

Even provinces in South Luzon felt the tremors.
by | July 27, 2022


On Wednesday morning, a strong earthquake hit northern Philippines. The tremor was initially classified as Magnitude 7.3 with the epicenter recorded in Tayum, Abra according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Later, it was revised to a Magnitude 7.0 tremor. Footage of the destruction to households, streets, establishments, and even world heritage sites in the north circulated online.

 

Bantay Bell Tower crumbles

A netizen captured this video of Bantay Bell Tower in Ilocos Sur swaying and crumbling from the quake while tourists run away from the centuries-old church belfry. The tower remained upright after the quake, but the structure has retained damage.

 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites damaged

Early photos from Vigan residents showed how certain UNESCO World Heritage Sites fared. In Ilocos Norte, Sen. Imee Marcos confirmed that a few heritage sites were damaged: Sarrat Church, Laoag Bell Tower, Sarrat Heritage Municipal Hall, Vigan Calle Real houses, and other properties.

 

More damage to Vigan City

This video showed what the quake did to a grocery store 45 kilometers from Vigan City. Almost all the products toppled over and fell on the floor.

Photos passed around in messaging apps and social media showed ruined houses, damaged cars, and roads blocked with debris.

 

The damage in Abra, the quake epicenter

Abra Rep. Ching Bernos shared initial photos of the destruction in the province: fallen properties, cracks in establishments, damage to vehicles, streets, and more. So far, no casualties have been reported.

 

The destruction in Baguio

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The quake was categorized as Intensity V in Baguio. It lasted for a few minutes causing dangerous landslides in some areas. Authorities had to close Kennon Road, Benguet-Vizcaya Road, and Benguet-Bua-Itogon Road to traffic for fear of even more landslides.

In Baguio City, stores, properties, and roads were affected. Mayor Benjamin Magalong also ordered the cancellation of work and classes at all levels.

This footage at Baguio Public Market showed products scattered on the floor and merchants weeping in the background.

Baguio residents couldn’t help but recall the violent July 16, 1990 Luzon earthquake that caused devastating damage to the city. That quake had lasted for 45 seconds, destroying structures and taking the lives of 1,621 individuals. As of this writing, at least one person has been reported dead after this recent earthquake.

 

In La Union, locals observed high water levels

Residents in La Union had to evacuate after authorities noticed a recession in water levels along the coast. Some captured footage of a high wave surge in Luna, La Union carrying with it small boats anchored along the shore. Later, however, authorities clarified that there is no tsunami threat to the area.

 

Meanwhile, in NCR, buildings were evacuated

Cities in the National Capital Region also felt the shake which prompted evacuation from high-rise condominiums, schools, and other establishments. Authorities ordered the suspension of operations for MRT-3, LRT-1, and LRT-2.

Officials, faculty, staff, and clients inside the PUP Main Campus evacuate to designated areas.

Thomasians gather outside the buildings.

Patients and employees in hospitals in Manila forced to evacuate.

Employees at a BPO company in Quezon City evacuate to the streets.

 

Did you feel the Magnitude 7.0 earthquake?

This article was republished with permission from 8List.ph.

Kyzia spends most of her time capturing the world around her through photos, paragraphs, and playlists. She is constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and a great paperback thriller to pair with it.

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