By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-04-02 09:19:52 | Updated at 2025-04-03 10:10:12
1 day ago
A massive earthquake in the Philippines could kill more than 50,000 people, flatten hundreds of buildings and trigger tsunamis in Manila and nearby regions if the West Valley fault line moves, the country’s seismology agency has warned.
The forecast by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Tuesday came after last week’s 7.7-magnitude quake in central Myanmar left over 2,700 people dead and caused widespread devastation in the country.
The tremors also led to a 30-storey skyscraper collapsing in Bangkok, killing 22 workers, with more than 70 believed to be still trapped in the rubble.
According to the agency, the 100km West Valley fault line runs through several provinces in the Philippines and densely populated cities in and around the country’s capital region.
If a quake with a 7.2 magnitude were to hit Metro Manila, it could cause a “an intensity-8 ground shaking”, said Teresito Bacolcol, the agency’s director.
Bacolcol estimated that about 12-13 per cent of buildings would suffer heavy damage.
04:57
Aftershocks hamper rescue efforts in Myanmar and Thailand as earthquake death toll climbs
Aftershocks hamper rescue efforts in Myanmar and Thailand as earthquake death toll climbs
