• Source:JND

Philippines Earthquake: A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Wednesday, triggering panic as residents fled structures near the epicentre on Sarangani Island, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

 

Residents Flee In Panic

According to the USGS, the earthquake occurred at 12.14 pm local time and the epicentre was located about 32 kilometres southwest of Sarangani Island. As of now, no Tsunami warning has been issued for the coastal region. News agency AFP reported that the earthquake struck while a large crowd had gathered at a local court on Sarangani Island to receive a government financial subsidy, briefly triggering widespread panic among those present.

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According to local disaster official Sauro, the ground began to shake violently during the distribution of the financial assistance, sending the assembled residents rushing into the open. Despite the sudden scare and chaotic scenes, authorities do not expect any casualties or major structural destruction from the tremor.

"The shaking was quite strong. I saw people in panic. They were running and shouting,"  Sauro told AFP. He added, "The earthquake came while the local government was giving a financial subsidy, so there were many people at the court, but everyone’s safe." Videos circulating online also showed residents coming out of their houses and a chandelier shaking as the tremors occured.

76 Dead In June Earthquake

The fresh seismic activity follows a destructive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated the neighbouring island of Mindanao on June 8 this year. Driven by tectonic movements along the volatile Cotabato Trench, the disaster had triggered catastrophic landslides and structural collapses, claiming at least 76 lives.

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