Powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake rattles Philippines

Follow us on

A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Sunday at 06:11 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported. 

According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter was two miles from Guihing, three miles from Padada and five miles from Digos, Philippines. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 17.52 miles.

There was no threat of a tsunami, said the USGS, which initially reported the magnitude at 6.9.

According to reports, a six-year-old girl was killed when a house she was in collapsed during the quake.

The tremor was followed by an aftershock of magnitude 5 some 20 minutes later and its hypocenter was 10 km deep. According to the USGS, a second aftershock of magnitude 5.7 was recorded at 3.09 p.m.

In October, some 21 people were killed while 432 others were injured after two earthquakes of magnitude 6.6 and 6.5 had struck Mindanao.

The region has suffered several seismic activities in the last few months that have resulted in casualties.

Philippines is located along the Ring of Fire, a region of high volcanic and seismic activity that is shaken every year by some 7,000 quakes, most of them moderate.