Major Aftershocks Jolt Philippines After Magnitude 7.6 Quake
Sumaira FH Published December 03, 2023 | 11:30 AM
Manila, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Dec, 2023) A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Saturday, the US Geological Survey reported, followed by four major aftershocks that sent residents fleeing from coastal areas amid fears of a tsunami.
The initial quake struck off the coast of the country at a depth of 32 kilometres (20 miles) at 10:37 pm local time (1437 GMT) about 21 kilometres northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island, the USGS said.
Early on Sunday, over the span of several hours, four powerful aftershocks of magnitudes 6.4, 6.2, 6.1 and 6.0 rumbled through the region, the USGS said.
The initial quake triggered tsunami warnings -- which were later downgraded -- across the Pacific region and sent residents in northeast Mindanao fleeing buildings, evacuating a hospital and seeking higher ground.
"Destructive tsunami is expected with life threatening wave heights," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said on X, formerly Twitter.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii also issued an alert but later posted that the danger had passed.
"There is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake," it said in a message.
The Philippines seismology institute said in a bulletin at 3:23 am (1923 GMT) local time that the highest waves generated by the seismic activity were .
64 meters (25 inches) tall on Mawes Island, but that the tsunami warning had ended.
Small swells were reported as far as Japan's eastern Pacific coast, where a tsunami warning was also briefly in effect. Palau, a western Pacific archipelago some 900 kilometres (560 miles) off Mindanao, reported no impact.
Hinatuan police Sergeant Joseph Lambo said the quake was "very strong" but that there were no reports of casualties or major property damage.
"Appliances fell off the shelves at the police office and two tv sets were broken. The motorcycles parked outside also tumbled down," Lambo told AFP.
"Right now we don't have reports of damage or casualties but people are evacuating because of the tsunami alert."
Lambo said the 45,000 residents in the municipality had been ordered to leave their homes and many were going on foot or in vehicles to higher ground.
A video posted on social media and verified by AFP showed bottles of drinks and other products falling off shelves in a convenience store as staff fled outside.
Another video, shot by Dennis Orong, showed people screaming as they ran along a street in Lianga, a coastal municipality of Surigao del Sur.
"I was shaking in fear, mainly because of exploding electric poles," the 26-year-old hairdresser told AFP.
"It was very traumatic."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mohsin Naqvi has offered a substantial incentive, pledging $100,000 to every pla ..
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’ ..
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 5 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 05 May 2024
Bugti assures transporters for addressing their problems
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Ishaq Dar meets foreign min ..
3 drug peddlers arrested, hashish recovered
1496,990 children given polio drops in five days: DC
Six terrorists killed, hideout busted in N Waziristan IBO: ISPR
Pakistan, Qatar agree to further expand trade, investment ties
Sindh cabinet approves Rs177.5m to strengthen, mobilize various wings of police
More Stories From World
-
Panama votes in presidential election with eight contenders
6 minutes ago -
Hamas chief accuses Israel PM of Gaza truce talks sabotage
26 minutes ago -
PSV Eindhoven crowned Dutch champions
35 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
36 minutes ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
36 minutes ago -
New Zealand send Olympics warning after twin wins at Singapore sevens
46 minutes ago
-
Hezbollah launches rockets at Israel after deadly south Lebanon strike
56 minutes ago -
Citizens join Al Barsha Police in “An Hour for Dubai” Initiative
1 hour ago -
Art can be a powerful tool to relieve stress, Experts say at Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival 2 ..
1 hour ago -
Local official says Israeli strike kills 3 in south Lebanon
2 hours ago -
Teenager turns self in after attack on German politician
2 hours ago -
Russia says forces seized village in eastern Ukraine
3 hours ago