Over 1,900 aftershocks recorded after 7.2 magnitude quake

MANILA, Philippines - Over 1,900 aftershocks from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol province last Tuesday have been recorded so far, the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said yesterday.

Phivolcs director Renato Solidum said he is not discounting the possibility that the number of aftershocks could total 2,500 to 3,000, but not all of them would be felt.

“Only a small percentage of the aftershocks are felt,” he said.

As of 1 p.m. yesterday, Phivolcs said there had been 1,905 aftershocks but only 32 of these were felt.

“There would be many aftershocks during the first week, but most of them would be recorded during the first two to three days. The number of aftershocks would decline as the days go by,” Solidum said.

Phivolcs recorded 823 aftershocks at 8 a.m. last Wednesday, 24 hours after the earthquake. Another 454 aftershocks were recorded on Thursday, 331 on Friday and 259 yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced that 11 national bridges in Bohol damaged by the earthquake are now passable to motorists.

These are the Camayaan Bridge, Tultogan Bridge, Bacong Bridge, Anislag Bridge, Daet Bridge, Bonkokan Bridge, Banban Bridge, Balbalan Bridge, Agape Bridge, Panangatan Bridge and Sombria Bridge.

On the other hand, still closed are the Abatan Bridge, Moalong Bridge, Disamparados Bridge, Liboron Bridge, Hunan Bridge, Taguimtim Bridge, Masiped Bridge, Damiao Bridge, Tagbauane Bridge, Palo Bridge, Hinawanan Bridge and Clarin Bridge.