Several students fainted and others suffered panic attacks after a magnitude 4.4 earthquake shook parts of Northern Luzon on Thursday, October 9, 2025, disrupting classes and office work as people rushed outdoors in fear.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the magnitude 4.4 quake struck in the town of Pugo, La Union. Tremors were felt at Intensity 1 to 4 in Baguio City, Itogon in Benguet, Bontoc in Mountain Province, Nampicuan in Nueva Ecija, as well as in parts of La Union and Pangasinan.

In Baguio, students and employees evacuated schools and offices as captured in several videos. Some students fainted and suffered panic attacks, and were immediately brought to the hospital.

At a Baguio elementary school, parents rushed to fetch their children.

“Kabado po. Nag-aalala rin po sa nangyari po sa Cebu tapos dali-dali ko pong sinundo yung anak ko tapos nag-message rin po yung nanay ko na sunduin yung dalawa kong kapatid,” Emerlene Joy Pamintuan Bautista, a parent, said.

Albert Mogol, Director of the Office of Civil Defense-Cordillera, reminded residents to stay calm and practice earthquake safety.

“Pinapayuhan ko po ang lahat na maging kalmado at sundin po natin ang ating duck, cover, and hold drill. Let us remain vigilant at maging mapagmatyag tayo lalo na po sa mga aftershock kung meron man po,” Mogol said.

In Sto. Tomas, La Union, 28 students were taken to the rural health unit after feeling dizzy during the quake. Most of them were able to go home, but five were admitted to La Union Medical Center for further observation.

OCD Region 1 Director Laurence Mina said they are monitoring the situation closely.

“We’re expecting aftershocks kasi in land nga po. Dito po nangyari sa kalupaan so ‘yun po ang report kanina. Pero as of this time [1 p.m.], wala pa namang naiuulat na nagkaroon ng aftershocks,” Mina said.

In Dagupan City, residents also felt the tremor.

“Medyo mahina lang po. Hindi gaanong malakas… iniisip ko po na baka lumakas pa po. Nakakatakot din kasi yung nangyari sa Cebu,” Robert Cos, a resident, said.

At Pangasinan State University in Lingayen, classes were briefly suspended as students were evacuated to open grounds. Inspections were conducted before classes resumed in the afternoon.

Local disaster offices and local governments across Ilocos and the Cordillera have started inspections and monitoring to ensure the safety of residents.