A powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck southern Philippines, sending residents rushing out of their homes in panic when the tremors hit at around 7:30 in the evening. Authorities promptly alerted the public and advised people to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Officials initially estimated the magnitude at 6.7 before revising it downward to 6.5. The United States Geological Survey reported the epicentre was located approximately 35 kilometres from the town of Jose Abad Santos on Mindanao island.
Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake, bringing considerable relief to the affected population. As of the latest reports, no casualties or property damage have been recorded, officials stated.
The earthquake comes close on the heels of a devastating tremor in Venezuela, where hundreds of people lost their lives and multi-storey buildings collapsed like houses of cards, leaving communities in deep grief.