A new earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale occurred off the southern coast of the Philippines early Monday morning (December 4), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake struck just before 4 AM local time at a depth of 30 km, about 72 km northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao Island. Earlier, a 6.6 magnitude earthquake occurred on Sunday and a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday in the same area, even triggering tsunami warnings.
A house destroyed by the earthquake in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. (Photo: AFP)
Authorities reported that at least two people died and several others were injured in the Saturday earthquake. According to the USGS, there were subsequent aftershocks with magnitudes over 6.0 until Sunday.
Sergeant Joseph Lambo, a police officer in Hinatuan, noted that the earthquake on Sunday night caused panic, prompting residents to rush out of their homes. Lambo stated, “People were terrified, recalling the earthquake from the night before.” He added that police were checking for further damage or casualties.
The Saturday earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region and forced residents along the eastern coast of Mindanao to flee from buildings, evacuate a hospital, and seek higher ground.
Disaster officials stated on Sunday that there were no major reports of damage to buildings or infrastructure so far.
However, local officials mentioned that a 30-year-old man died in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, when a wall in his home collapsed on him. They also reported that some roads in the city had cracked due to the earthquake.
The national disaster agency confirmed that a pregnant woman lost her life in Tagum City, Davao del Norte. An official also reported two people sustained minor injuries from falling debris in Tandag City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially warned of a “destructive tsunami” following the first earthquake on Saturday, but the warning was later lifted. Large waves were reported as far away as the eastern Pacific coast of Japan, where tsunami warnings were also briefly in effect.
The recent earthquakes occurred about two weeks after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao, resulting in at least nine fatalities, shaking buildings, and causing part of a mall ceiling to collapse.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Philippines, a country located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” However, many earthquakes are often too small to be felt.
