5-magnitude quake jolts Batanes

ITBAYAT, BATANES—A 5-magnitude earthquake hit Sabtang town on Sunday morning, damaging some houses and causing a landslide on the eastern portion of Mt. Iraya in Basco town, the provincial capital. No one was reported hurt in the quake that was recorded at Intensity 4 in the towns of Uyugan, Ivana, Mahatao and Basco. The quake was felt here at Intensity 3. The state weather bureau said the quake struck at 10:53 a.m. 40 kilometers southeast of Sabtang. It had a depth of 1 km and was tectonic in origin. Residents in Barangay Kayhuvokan in Basco said the quake caused roofs of some houses to collapse.—with