Death toll of Philippines earthquake continues rising

At least nine people have been killed and 30 others injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Gutad town on the Philippines’ Luzon island, said Philippine authorities on April 23.
Death toll of Philippines earthquake continues rising ảnh 1A church in Pampanga province is damaged after the earthquake on April 22 (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – At least ninepeople have been killed and 30 others injured after a 6.1-magnitude earthquakestruck Gutad town on the Philippines’ Luzon island, said Philippine authoritieson April 23.

Xinhua News Agency reported that localpolice said five people were killed in house collapses. Meanwhile, four otherbodies were retrieved from a collapsed supermarket in Porac town of Pampangaprovince, 110 km north of Manila.

Search and rescue works are underwayas an unknown number of people are trapped under the debris of the supermarket.The death toll is projected to rise.

The Philippine Institute ofVolcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake was detected at a depth of12 km, with an epicentre 18 km northeast of Castillejos, a town in Zambalesprovince in the western part of Luzon.

Phivolcs said it has recorded morethan 400 low-magnitude aftershocks since April 22 night. Castilljos town hasreported no casualties and no houses or building collapsed.

However, the quake knocked downbuildings and walls, cracked road surfaces and damaged churches in Pampangaprovince and other parts of central Luzon.

After the earthquake, power outagesoccurred in some affected areas in Luzon and efforts are underway to restorepower.

Authorities at the ClarkInternational Airport in Pampanga province suspended operations for 24 hoursbeginning 7:40 pm (local time) on April 22.

The quake also shook high-risebuilding in Manila, the Philippine capital.

Public schools and government officesin the city and outlying provinces were closed on April 23 to make way forinspection of the buildings.

Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertehas ordered an immediate assessment of areas affected by the earthquake.

The Philippines lies within the Ringof Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many earthquakes and volcaniceruptions occur. Phivolcs records an average of 20 earthquakes a day and 100 to150 earthquakes are felt per year.-VNA
VNA

See more

La Niña to bring cooler weather to Thailand (Photo: nationthailand.com)

La Niña to bring cooler weather to Thailand

Thailand is experiencing cooler weather that is expected to last until mid-February, influenced by the La Niña phenomenon. This year’s summer is also anticipated to be less intensely hot compared to previous years.

Thailand exported 1.82 million tonnes of fruits worth 134.95 billion THB in 2024. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Thailand to tighten control over export fruits

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry of Thailand is set to improve quality control on all export fruits after Chinese customs checkpoints were ordered to strictly check Basic Yellow 2 lab test results on durians.

Cargo vessels move near a port in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters)

Thailand posts record investment last year

Thailand posted record investment figures for 2024, with applications exceeding 1.13 trillion THB (32.5 billion USD), the highest in the past decade, according to the country’s Board of Investment (BOI).

Malaysian Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin. (Photo: Benama/VNA)

Malaysia introduces activities for ASEAN Chairmanship 2025

The ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 will extend beyond high-level meetings, encompassing a range of activities and programmes, aimed at engaging communities at the grassroots level across Malaysia, said Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.

Thailand has been working on clean air bill (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand's Clean Air Act makes strides

Thailand has been working on the Clean Air Act, expected to be implemented by April with strict regulations for both public and private sectors to address the country's air pollution crisis.

Indonesia plans to impose an excise tax on sugary packaged beverages starting July 2025, aiming to curb excessive sugar consumption and address rising health concerns, the Finance Ministry announced on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. (Photo: jakartaglobe.id)

Indonesia to impose sugary drink tax in July 2025

Indonesia plans to impose an excise tax on sugary packaged beverages starting July 2025, aiming to curb excessive sugar consumption and address rising health concerns, the country’s Finance Ministry announced.

Illustrative image (Photo: https://m.efeedlink.com/)

Philippines allows import of poultry, pork from Argentina

The Argentinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship has recently announced that the Philippines authorised Argentine exports of poultry meat and pork and the extension to export beef with bone, offal and fats.