Magnitude 5.5 quake hits Ilocos Norte on New Year's Day

MANILA, Philippines - A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Ilocos Norte on the first day of the year, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Wednesday.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, was recorded at 4:01 a.m. with an epicenter traced at 105 kilometers north of Burgos, Ilocos Norte.

Intensity III was felt at Laoag City and Sarat town but no damage was expected from the temblor, Phivolcs said.

However, aftershocks are expected and four quakes with weaker magnitude have been recorded by the agency as of writing.

The strongest was the magnitude 4.8 earthquake at 7:41 a.m. with an epicenter traced at 91 kilometers north of Burgos town.