One dead, 100 injured in Philippines earthquake

  • 07/07/2017
One dead, 100 injured in Philippines earthquake
Photo credit: Getty

A strong magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the central Philippines on Thursday afternoon, leaving at least one person dead and over 100 injured.

The US Geological Survey says the quake struck on Thursday afternoon and measured a preliminary 6.5 magnitude. It says it was centred near Masarayao in Leyte province at a depth of 6.5 kilometres.

Local residents reported strong shaking and said people fled from their houses, and some were knocked over about 580 km southwest of the capital, Manila.

Villagers reported strong shaking and said people fled from buildings and schools, and some were knocked over.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says it expects some damage and aftershocks, however there was no risk of tsunami.

Asked about the earthquake, President Rodrigo Duterte, who was visiting southern Bukidnon province, said he has not received any reports of major damage.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes and volcanoes are common. A magnitude 7.7 quake killed nearly 2,000 people in the northern Philippines in 1990.

Reuters