A powerful undersea earthquake of up to 7.2 magnitude has struck the Philippines. The tremor, which lasted several seconds, occurred around 16 miles (26km) off Burias at the southern tip of the archipelago, the US Geological Survey said.
Scientists said no tsunami was expected, but residents were advised to be on alert for aftershocks and damage. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Radio announcer Leny Aranego, of General Santos city in South Cotabato, said the strong earthquake cracked walls and toppled some computers from desks.
Patients were evacuated from a hospital in General Santos City, while workers fled offices in Davao City, according on ABS-CBN News’ Facebook posts.
According to other reports, Debris from the ceiling were strewn on the floor of a shopping mall in General Santos owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc., and a crane collapsed on a building under construction in Davao City, based on posts by state-run Radyo Pilipinas on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter.
