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A 6.4-MAGNITUDE earthquake shook the southern Philippines on Wednesday, with tremors felt across eastern Mindanao, though there were no reports of casualties or structural damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The quake, initially reported as magnitude 6.7, struck at a depth of 58.5 kilometres (36 miles) and was centred approximately 27 kilometres east of Santiago town on the island of Mindanao.
Nash Paragas, a rescuer in the province of Davao Oriental, told AFP that the shaking was brief but noticeable. “There was shaking. I saw some of the cars moving, but I think it was only for a short time, around five seconds,” he said, adding that no immediate damage had been observed.
Eastern Mindanao was previously jolted by powerful tremors in October, when two earthquakes of 7.4 and 6.7 magnitude claimed at least eight lives. These followed a magnitude 6.9 quake in Cebu province, central Philippines, which killed 76 people and damaged or destroyed 72,000 homes.
Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic zone stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. The latest tremor serves as a reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the ongoing need for vigilance and preparedness. - January 7, 2025
