6.9 quake strikes near Cebu city in Philippines; no tsunami threat

An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck in waters about 100 km from Cebu City in the Philippines late on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

There was no tsunami threat after the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

Cebu City, located in the country's central Visayas region, has a population of nearly 1 million, according to USGS.

The quake was at a depth of 10 km and was located about 20 km from the city of Bogo, the survey said, adding that an aftershock of magnitude 5.2 was also reported from the region.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or damage. 

The earthquake on Tuesday night sent people dashing out into streets, damaging a stone church and knocking out power in some areas.

The Philippines , one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, is often hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of seismic faults around the ocean. The archipelago is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms each year.

Agenices