Magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocks parts of Mindanao in the Philippines
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A magnitude 6.5 earthquake rocked Central and Eastern Mindanao on Thursday, October 31, just two days after a strong tremor killed several people and hurt hundreds of others in the region.
Initial reports indicate that at least five people died and previously damaged buildings and homes collapsed.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said in a bulletin that the tremor, which was tectonic in origin at a depth of 2 kilometres, struck Tulunan, Cotabato.
A tape blocks the access to a damaged hotel in the aftermath of a 6.5 magnitude earthquake, in Kidapawan city, Cotabato province, Philippines, 31 October 2019. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 6.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km near Bulatukan, Cotabato province, on 31 October. It is the third strong earthquake the area has experienced this month. EPA-EFE/CERILO EBRANO
The earthquake happened just two days after a magnitude 6.6 tremor struck the same area.
While the earthquake struck just two days after a stronger magnitude 6.6 tremor rocked the same area, Phivolcs Science Research Specialist Erlinton Olavere said that it could not be considered an aftershock because they have nearly the same magnitude.
An aerial shot taken with a drone shows a damaged hotel in the aftermath of a 6.5 magnitude earthquake, in Kidapawan city, Cotabato province, Philippines, 31 October 2019. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a 6.5 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km near Bulatukan, Cotabato province, on 31 October. It is the third strong earthquake the area has experienced this month. EPA-EFE/CERILO EBRANO
Phivolcs said damage to infrastructure and property were expected in areas affected by the quake, which were still reeling from the effects of two strong earthquakes this month – a magnitude 6.3 tremor on October 16, and another on October 29.
