6.3-magnitude earthquake hits Philippines

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Wednesday, according to the United States Geological Survey, USGS.

The USGS said the earthquake occurred at 12:14 p.m. local time, about 32 kilometres southwest of Sarangani Island, at a depth of 62 kilometres.

No tsunami warning was issued following the quake, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.

A rescuer on Sarangani Island, Harly Sauro, said the tremor occurred while a large crowd had gathered to receive government financial assistance.

“The shaking was quite strong. I saw people in panic. They were running and shouting,” Sauro said.

He, however, said preliminary assessments indicated that everyone was safe and that there were no signs of casualties or major damage.

“Based on our assessment and experience, we don’t think there will be casualties or damage,” he said.

The latest earthquake comes nearly two months after a powerful tremor struck the nearby island of Mindanao on June 8, killing at least 76 people, triggering landslides and causing widespread structural damage.

The earlier earthquake, caused by movement along the Cotabato Trench, also raised sections of the seabed by as much as two metres, exposing coral reefs and affecting marine life.