Magnitude 6.4 quake rattles Mindanao

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hit parts of Mindanao yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The tremor, which occurred at about 3:16 p.m., was felt at Intensity 6, which is classified as “very strong,” in Manay, Davao Oriental.

“There were reports of damaged floor tiles in Manay and a landslide in Tarragona,” Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said.

The quake was felt at Intensity 5 in Davao City and Mati town; Intensity 4 in Koronadal and Bislig cities; Intensity 3 in Tupi, South Cotabato as well as in Alabel and Malapatan in Sarangani, and Intensity 2 in Cotabato and General Santos cities.

Photos of people vacating malls and schools and pouring into the streets in Davao City were shared on social media.

A portion of Ateneo de Davao University was reportedly damaged. There were also reports of power outages in Davao Oriental.

Phivolcs said the epicenter of the quake was located 27 kilometers southeast of Manay.

The tremor, which was classified as shallow, had a depth of only 14 kms.

”The source of the quake maybe a local fault offshore, but this is being verified,” Solidum said.

Phivolcs said aftershocks were expected from the quake.