A 6.2-magnitude earthquake hits the province of Mindoro, in the northern Philippines, and was felt by the residents of Manila

[ad_1]

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded in the province of Mindoro in the northern Philippines, according to Geoscience Australia.

Key points: The Philippine Seismology Agency rated the earthquake as 6.2, but later revised that rating to 6.3 and no injuries or major damage have been reported so far. The mayor of a town near the epicenter said the quake was “amazing”

The Australian agency said that the quake occurred at a depth of 126 kilometers at about 10:19 am Philippine time.

No injuries or major damage were reported after the earthquake, although the Philippine authorities suspended operations on three elevated railway lines in the capital, Manila, as a precaution.

Witnesses told Reuters news agency that the quake was felt in the capital, which is about 100 km away, as well as in neighboring provinces.

Ceiling lights were seen shaking in a hotel in one of Manila’s business districts where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was speaking to reporters after attending an international business forum.

CNN Philippines posted footage on social media of employees in the Philippine House of Representatives being evacuated.

Peter Oliver Palacio, mayor of Calatagan, a town just five kilometers from the epicenter, told DZMM radio the quake was “incredible,” and added that the town’s engineering department had been instructed to check damage to buildings.

The Philippine Seismology Agency said it expected damage and aftershocks in the aftermath of the quake, which was estimated to have a magnitude of 6.2 but then was revised down to a magnitude of 6.3.

Germany’s seismological agency, the German Research Center for Geosciences, said it had registered a magnitude 6.5 earthquake.

The quake occurred during a period of seismic activity in the island nation, after the active Mayon Volcano in eastern Albay province began spewing lava gently down its slopes on Sunday.

The Philippines is home to 24 active volcanoes, making it one of the most volcanically active countries in the world.

ABC/Reuters

[ad_2]