A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the southern Mindanao region of the Philippines on Friday, November 17, according to officials. The earthquake, which initially had a magnitude of 7.2 but was later downgraded to 6.8m by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), occurred at 4:14 p.m. local time. No tsunami warning has been issued and there are no immediate reports of injuries or casualties. However, authorities are still checking for any potential damages or casualties in Koronadal city, near the epicenter of the quake.
Videos shared by a local news outlet show people evacuating from a hospital and huddling on the floor of a shopping mall in General Santos city in South Cotabato. The earthquake also caused signs and antennas on the top of a 17-story building to shake, but the building’s employees were safely evacuated. The Old Buayan Bridge, which connects General Santos and Sarangani, has reportedly been cracked and shut down due to the quake.
A radio announcer, Leny Aranego, reported that the earthquake damaged walls and toppled computers from desks. The airport in General Santos City sustained minor damage, including hairline cracks along columns in the building, but no injuries were reported among passengers or employees.
The Philippines is prone to earthquakes as it lies on the “Ring of Fire,” a belt of volcanoes surrounding the Pacific Ocean that is susceptible to seismic activity. PHIVOLCS’ director, Teresito C. Bacolcol, described the earthquake as “destructive,” indicating that some damage is expected. Power is currently out in some parts of the southern Philippines, and the Philippine Red Cross is providing first aid and medical attention to students who collapsed.
In response to the earthquake, the government of General Santos City issued a warning to residents, urging them to remain calm but vigilant and be prepared for possible aftershocks. Structural integrity assessments were conducted, leading to the suspension of city government work, except for offices involved in delivering basic and health services.
Additional reporting for this article was provided by Chad de Guzman.
