5.2 magnitude earthquake hits Northern Philippines

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale hit on Wednesday the province of Batanes in the northern Philippines.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the epicenter of the earthquake occurred 31 km northeast of the town of Itbayat at a depth of 14 km.

There have been no reports so far of human or material losses due to the earthquake.

In 2019, the province of Batanes witnessed a 5.6 magnitude earthquake, killing seven people and injuring at least 60 others.

The Philippines is witnessing increased volcanic and seismic activity due to its location on the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean, where tectonic plates intersect.