Massive 6.7 magnitude earthquake rattles Philippines’ Mindanao region

A massive earthquake of 6.7 magnitude rocked the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 60 km (37.3 miles), off the coast of the Mindanao region while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said that no tsunami was expected.

The power of the earthquake was previously reported to be between magnitude 7.2 and 6.9.

The country’s seismology office reported that the earthquake lasted several seconds and warned locals to be on the lookout for aftershocks and damage, even though there were no early reports of injuries.

There have been no reports of injuries, according to Amor Mio, the police commander of Koronadal City, which is close to the epicentre of the earthquake.

However, authorities were examining a mall that had reportedly 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,” Mio said by telephone.

Leny Aranego, a radio host from General Santos City, South Cotabato, reported that the powerful earthquake knocked down some laptops off of desks and damaged walls, Sky News reported.

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

Michael Ricafort reported that when the earthquake struck, passengers at a General Santos City airport were evacuated to the tarmac as he was preparing to take a flight to Manila.

The “Ring of Fire,” where the Philippines are located, is a chain of volcanoes encircling the Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity.