As of this posting, there are 406 aftershocks recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS) after the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that jolted Luzon on Monday.
PHIVOLCS expects that more aftershocks may occur over the week. It clarified, however, that the text message being circulated alleging a looming 7.1-magnitude earthquake to hit the country has no basis.
“Nais naming ipabatid sa publiko na hindi nanggaling sa DOST-PHIVOLCS ang mensahe na ito at walang sapat na basehan para maglabas ng warning ang aming tanggapan tungkol sa isang nalalapit na malakas na lindol,” it posted on Facebook.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, seven people were killed and 81 others sustained injuries from the earthquake.
Twenty four people are reported missing.
The earthquake’s epicenter was detected 18 kilometers northeast of Castillejos, Zambales, according to PHIVOLCS.
Here’s the official statement from PHIVOLCS:
