Manila: The US Geological Survey reported that the Philippines experienced an earthquake on Thursday with a magnitude of 6.2, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
Around 10:00 am local time, the earthquake struck at a depth of 112 kilometres in the waters off Calatagan town, which is about three hours' drive from the Philippine capital of Manila.
Police chief Emil Mendoza of Calatagan said that after feeling the tremor, which was felt throughout the country's densely populated heartland, including Manila, he and his staff rushed outside.
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It was somewhat potent. Mendoza told AFP, "We had to flee outside. Disaster authorities had been sent out to evaluate the effects of the earthquake even though there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, according to Mendoza.
According to Calatagan disaster officer Ronald Torres, the earthquake lasted between 30 and 60 seconds.
Despite issuing a tsunami warning due to the depth of the tremor, the state seismological agency issued a warning of aftershocks. People in the capital ran out of buildings as a result of the earthquake.
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According to the nation's transportation department, the runways and taxiways at Ninoy Aquino International Airport were temporarily shut down to check for any pavement damage.
Metro service in the city was also suspended while the tracks were examined for potential damage. Social media posts that were verified by AFP showed a crane truck swaying in a Manila port due to the intensity of the tremor.
Civil defence office information officer Diego Mariano stated that authorities were still evaluating the quake's effects.
"As of reporting time, there have been no significant damages or casualties. Assessment is still being done, Mariano wrote in a message to reporters.
The Philippines, which is located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, experiences earthquakes on a daily basis.
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More than 200 people lost their lives when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Bohol Island in the centre of the Philippines in October 2013.
In the Philippines, where Catholicism originated, old churches suffered severe damage. The earthquake caused nearly 400,000 people to be displaced and tens of thousands of homes to be damaged.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the northern Philippines in 1990 caused a ground rupture that extended over 100 kilometres, inflicting significant damage and leaving more than 1,200 people dead.
