Magnitude 6.7 quake shakes southern Philippines

The US Geological Survey said that a magnitude 6.7 earthquake shook the southernPhilippineson Friday (Nov 17). So far, there were no reports of casualties, but the local authorities have warned of potential damage. Some reports claimed that themagnitude was 7.2.

The USGS said in a statement that the quake struck off Sarangani province on the main southern island of Mindanao at a depth of 78 kilometres at 0814 GMT. No tsunami threat was issued.

The Philippines' seismology agency asked the residents to be on alert for aftershocks and damage. It said that the quake lasted several seconds.

As quoted by the news agency Reuters, Radio announcer Leny Aranego of General Santos City in South Cotabato said the strong earthquake damaged walls and toppled some computers from desks.

"We saw how the walls cracked and computers fell," Aranego told DZRH radio station.

Asocial media post claimed that blocks of cement fell from a construction crane from the top of a building in Matina, Davao City when the earthquake hit Sarangani.

"I think it was the strongest earthquake I've ever experienced," Keeshia Leyran, 27, told AFP from Davao City, about 200 kilometres (124 miles) from the epicentre, where she was attending a conference.

"People around me were panicking and running to go outside. There are hundreds of people here at the event, so I was more scared of a stampede happening to be honest."

Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.

The Reuters report also mentioned that passengers at an airport in General Santos City were being evacuated to the tarmac. Michael Ricafort said he was about to board a plane to Manila when the quake hit.

The Philippines lies on the "Ring of Fire", a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity.

(With inputs from agencies)