Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes off southern Philippines - GulfToday

VIDEO: Magnitude 6.6 earthquake strikes off southern Philippines

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A damaged local town hall is seen in Mabini, Davao Del Sur, Philippines after a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck on Tuesday. Jaypee Catalan/ Reuters

Central Mindano, in the southern Philippines faced an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6, on Tuesday. The earthquake shook buildings and forced residents to rush to safety from schools and offices.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake struck 26km (16 miles) northeast of Tulunan, Cotabato at 9:04am (0104 GMT).

No reports of casualties or major damage were instantly made, however, several aftershock is to be expected. Phivolcs advised residents in affected areas to remain outside their buildings.

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An office worker is attended by colleagues after she fainted at the height of the earthquake that hit Davao City on Tuesday.

Nearby cities and provinces were not left out in the earthquake. Davao city, the hometown of President Rodrigo Duterte and other populous cities in the country were also affected. 

Philippines earthquake death toll rises to 4

DZMM radio reported that power cables were seen swinging in Davao, while people rushed to open spaces, with some fainting because of fear.

Classes in schools were suspended after the earthquake.

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Office employees gather outside of buildings after a powerful earthquake was felt in Davao City, Philippines on Tuesday.

According to ANC news channel report, the earthquake also led to power cuts in General Santos city.

The quake was initially reported as being of 6.7 magnitude by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, which is on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire.

On Oct.16, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck central Mindanao, killing five people and injuring dozens.

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