Philippines Says at Least 6 Dead After Quakes in Northern Region

(Bloomberg) -- At least six people died after two earthquakes struck the northern Philippine province of Batanes early Saturday.

A 5.4 magnitude quake shook the town of Itbayat at 4:16 a.m. local time, the government’s disaster risk management council said in a statement. An aftershock with a magnitude of 5.9 hit three hours later, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, adding there is no tsunami risk.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer showed video footage of damaged buildings and rubble, and some media reports have placed the death toll at eight. At least 60 people were injured and rescue operations are continuing, the disaster risk management council said.

Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In 2013, a 7.2 magnitude quake hit Bohol province and areas in central Philippines, killing more than 200 people and affecting 600,000 families.

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