6.7 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes South Philippines; Is There Tsunami Threat?

Manila: A strong earthquake measuring 6.7 on Richter scale shook southern Philippines on Friday, reported Reuters.

One person was killed, dozens injured and several buildings damaged, authorities said.

The earthquake struck off Mindanao island at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles), according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences.

The Philippine seismology agency PHIVOLCS and Pacific Tsunamic Warning Centre said a tsunami was not expected.

Angel Dugaduga, a disaster response official in the coastal town of Glan, near the epicentre, said that at least one person died and 18 were injured based on an initial report.

The municipal office and gymnasium were among many buildings damaged while several places were left without electricity, Dugaduga added.

A shopping mall was reported to have been damaged.

“The employees were ordered evacuated for their safety. According to police in the area, there was extensive damage but we could not ascertain definitely yet the extent,” said Amor Mio, police chief of nearby Koronadal city.

PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol told DZRH radio the intensity of the quake was “destructive, so we would expect damage.”

The Philippines lies on the ‘Ring of Fire’, a belt of volcanoes circling Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity, and hence earthquakes are common in this region.