The death toll also includes six crew members of a military helicopter that crashed yesterday on Mindanao island after it was deployed to assist in relief efforts.
A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, killing at least six people. A second strong aftershock measuring 6.9 hit later the same day, claiming at least one more life and prompting tsunami warnings across the region, Al Jazeera reported,
According to initial reports from local authorities, strong tremors were felt across parts of Mindanao, including Davao. Officials have urged residents to remain alert and follow safety advisories.
According to NCS, the tremors were felt at 9.50 am (IST). The epicenter of the earthquake was located at latitude 8.24 North and longitude 126.74 East, and at a depth of 10 kilometers
The NCS posted from its official handle on X, "Earthquake of Magnitude:6.8, Occurred on 04-12-2023, 01:19:42 IST, Lat: 9.03 & Long: 126.70, Depth: 82 Km ,Location: Mindanao, Philippines."
The earthquake, measuring a magnitude of 7.6 according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and 7.5 according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, struck off the coast of Mindanao island at a depth of 32km. It was followed by four major aftershocks exceeding magnitudes of 6.0 ov
China's Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian on Friday said Manila should stand against the firm sovereignty claim of self-ruled, democratic Taiwan, which Beijing sees as part of its territory awaiting reunification.