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A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck waters off Sarangani, Davao Occidental at 12:13 p.m. Wednesday, August 5. Phivolcs/X
MANILA — A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck waters off Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Wednesday noon.
The quake, which hit 37 kilometers southwest of Balut Island at 12:14 pm, did not trigger a tsunami warning.
The tremor was felt at a "strong" intensity V in Glan, Sarangani and a "moderately strong" intensity IV in Kiamba, Malungon, and Alabel Sarangani; General Santos City; Tupi and Polomolok, South Cotabato.
Sarangani Island rescuer Harly Sauro told AFP the quake had struck while a large number of people had gathered to receive a government subsidy.
"The shaking was quite strong. I saw people in panic. They were running and shouting," he said.
"The earthquake came while the local government was giving a financial subsidy, so there were many people at the court, but everyone's safe," he added.
"Based on our assessment and experience, we don't think there will be casualties or damage."
In Koronadal, South Cotabato, the quake sent government workers scurrying out of the city hall and caused at least two students to faint out of fear at a public school.
Phivolcs initially reported the quake's magnitude at 7.0 and later downgraded it to 6.4.
In June this year, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake also struck the southwest of Maasim, Sarangani, which toppled buildings, triggered landslides and killed at least 76 people.
That earthquake, driven by a shifting of the Cotabato trench, raised the seabed by as much as two meters, exposing coral and harming marine life.
Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.
— With reports from Hernel Tocmo and Al Saludo
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