The southern Philippines was shaken by a strong earthquake. The earthquake occurred today in Sarangani province on the main island of Mindanao at a depth of 78 kilometers, according to the US Earthquake Observatory (USGS). Therefore, it reached a magnitude of 6.7. Authorities initially reported no injuries or serious damage, but the tremors caused panic among many people in Davao City.
AP/Shaira Ann Sandigan
A photo published by Facebook and verified by the AFP news agency showed the ceiling collapsed in a shopping center in the city of General Santos, almost 100 kilometers from the epicenter of the earthquake. In a video from another mall in the city, customers could be seen sheltering under tables at a fast food restaurant and screaming because of the tremor.
Sarangani police said there were no reports of damage or casualties. Jason Sioco, from the local disaster management agency, said cracks had appeared in several school buildings in the municipality of José Abad Santos. However, no “substantial damage” was reported.