UPDATE - 4 killed as powerful earthquake jolts Abra region of Philippines

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, EDITS THROUGHOUT

ANKARA (AA) - At least four people were killed as a 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked the northern Philippines on Wednesday, triggering landslides and damage to infrastructure, an official said.

In a televised press conference, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said dozens of people were also injured in the quake that struck the Abra region on the main island of Luzon at 8:43 a.m. local time. It was also felt in the capital Manila.

Images shared on social media showed damage to buildings, roads and power supply system.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered immediate delivery of relief assistance to earthquake victims.

Saying that he plans to visit quake-hit areas on Thursday, Marcos advised the affected residents whose houses were damaged to stay in evacuation areas until it is certain that there will be no aftershocks.​​​​​​​

The Philippine Red Cross in a statement said first aid teams were on the ground for relief operations.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid​​​​​​​