Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes Philippines

The Philippines have experienced a magnitude 6.2 earthquake on Thursday, according to the US Geological Survey.

However, there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 112 kilometers (77 miles) off the coast of Calatagan town, located approximately three hours’ drive from Manila, the capital.

Following the tremor, Calatagan police chief Emil Mendoza and his staff hurriedly went outside as a precaution. The earthquake was felt across the densely populated areas, including Manila. Mendoza described the tremor as “a bit strong” and stated that they had to run outside.

While there have been no immediate reports of damage or casualties, disaster authorities have been dispatched to assess the impact of the earthquake, as confirmed by Calatagan disaster officer Ronald Torres. The quake lasted between 30 seconds and a minute, and the state seismological agency warned of possible aftershocks but ruled out the occurrence of tsunami waves due to the earthquake’s depth.

In the capital city, people rushed out of buildings in response to the earthquake. Ninoy Aquino International Airport temporarily closed its runways and taxiways to inspect for any potential damage, and the operation of the metro system in Manila was halted for track inspections.

Social media images verified by AFP showed a crane truck swaying from the force of the tremor at a Manila port.

Diego Mariano, the information officer at the civil defense office, stated that authorities are still assessing the impact of the earthquake. He reported no major damage or casualties at the time of his statement.

The Philippines is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. The country experiences earthquakes on a regular basis.

The Philippines has a history of devastating earthquakes. In October 2013, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Bohol Island, resulting in landslides, significant damage to churches, and the loss of over 200 lives. In 1990, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in the northern part of the country caused severe damage, claiming the lives of more than 1,200 people and creating a ground rupture spanning over a hundred kilometers.