6.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines

World

Published: 2020-12-25 14:16

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 19:00


Photo: CNN Philippines
Photo: CNN Philippines

 

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines Friday, according to the US Geological Survey. Residents of the capital, Manila, reported building shaking and a brief halt to Christmas masses, without any immediate damage reported.

The earthquake shook the Batangas region on the island of Luzon, at a depth of 114 km, at 7:43am local time (23:43 GMT), according to the US Observatory.

The observatory had initially reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.2 and at a depth of 108 km.

Police Chief Carlo Caceres told AFP that worshipers in the coastal city of Calatagan, about 90 km south of Manila and near the epicenter, had kept calm while attending Christmas mass.

He added, "There was a pause in the mass, but they did not panic," noting that "this area is vulnerable to earthquakes and people are used to it."

He said there were no reports of damage.

"The office furniture and equipment are swaying, but nothing has been broken," said Alan Megano, a police officer in the nearby town of Palayan.

The Philippines is part of the "Ring of Fire" in the Pacific Ocean, a seismically active region that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin.