Earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale hits the province of Mindoro in the northern Philippines
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake hits Philippines – buildings evacuated and ceiling lights shake
- Earthquake hits Mindoro province, northern Philippines
- No major damage or deaths have been recorded
A ‘staggering’ earthquake has hit an island in the Philippines, forcing buildings to be evacuated.
The quake struck the province of Mindoro, in the northern Philippines, at 10:19 a.m. local time on Thursday and was recorded by Geoscience Australia as a magnitude of 6.2.
The country’s seismological bureau initially recorded the quake as a magnitude of 6.2 before revising it to a 6.3, while a German seismological bureau recorded it as a 6.5.
No casualties or major damage have been recorded after the earthquake, but the seismological office expects further aftershocks and damage
An earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale has stalled just off the coast of Mindoro province, in the northern Philippines (pictured)
The tremors were felt in the capital Manila, about 100 km north of the island, causing three elevated railway lines to be suspended for the time being. Reuters.
The country’s president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was speaking to the press at a hotel in one of the capital’s business districts when the earthquake struck and ceiling lights shook.
Employees of the Philippine House of Representatives were evacuated from the building during the earthquake, CNN Philippines reports.
The mayor of Calatagan, a town just 5 km from the epicenter, Peter Oliver Palacio, described the quake as “giddy” while speaking to local radio station DZMM.
He called in the city’s engineering department to assess any damage from the earthquake.
Employees of the country’s House of Representatives had to evacuate the building during the quake
The area has been experiencing volcanic activity lately, with Mayon Volcano, about 200 miles east of the quake’s epicenter, erupting since April 27, according to the Smithsonian Institute.
On Sunday, the volcano could be seen spewing light lava,
There are about 300 volcanoes scattered across the country, 24 of which are active, making it one of the more volcanically active regions in the world.
More to come.