Philippines hit by third strong earthquake in 3 days

Monday's quake struck just before 4 a.m. local time at a depth of 30 kilometers (19 miles), about 72 kilometers (45 miles) northeast of Hinatuan on Mindanao island. It followed a magnitude 6.6 quake on Sunday and a magnitude 7.6 quake on Saturday in the same area, both of which triggered tsunami warnings.

A house destroyed by an earthquake in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur province, Philippines. Photo: AFP

Authorities said at least two people were killed and several injured in Saturday’s earthquake, which was followed by a series of aftershocks measuring above magnitude 6.0 through Sunday, according to the USGS.

Hinatuan police Sergeant Joseph Lambo said the earthquake on Sunday night sent people rushing out of their homes. “People were panicking, remembering the earthquake the night before,” Lambo said, adding that police were checking for any further damage or casualties.

Saturday's earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region and sent people along Mindanao's eastern coast fleeing buildings, evacuating a hospital and seeking higher ground.

Disaster officials said earlier Sunday that so far there had been no reports of major damage to buildings or infrastructure.

However, local officials said a 30-year-old man died in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur province, when a wall in his house collapsed on him. She added that some roads in the city were cracked by the earthquake.

The national disaster agency said a pregnant woman was killed in Tagum City, Davao del Norte province. Two people were slightly injured by falling debris in Tandag City, an official said.

The Philippine Seismological Institute initially warned of a “destructive tsunami” after the initial quake on Saturday, but the warning was later lifted. Large waves were reported as far away as Japan’s eastern Pacific coast, where a tsunami warning was also briefly in effect.

The latest quakes come about two weeks after a 6.7-magnitude quake hit Mindanao, killing at least nine people, shaking buildings and causing part of the ceiling of a shopping mall to collapse.

Earthquakes are a daily occurrence in the Philippines, a country located along the Pacific "Ring of Fire." However, the quakes are often too small to be felt.

Huy Hoang (according to AFP, Reuters, CNA)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/philippines-chiu-tran-dong-dat-manh-thu-ba-lien-tiep-trong-3-ngay-post274985.html