Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17) – A massive magnitude 6.8 earthquake shook the waters south of Sarangani bay in Davao Occidental on Friday afternoon, state seismologists said.
It was pegged as magnitude 7.2 in the initial advisory of Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued at 4:20 p.m. An hour later, it was downgraded to magnitude 6.8.
Speaking to CNN Philippines’ The Final Word on Friday, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Deputy Spokesperson Mark Timbal said they are confirming one report of fatality in Barangay Butuan in the Municipality of Jose Abad Santos.
Timbal added that damaged schools and houses in Sarangani were also reported.
The tremors hit the waters 30 kilometers southwest of Sarangani town at 4:14 p.m., according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Damage and aftershocks are expected, the agency warned. However, it said there was no tsunami threat.
“We will continue to monitor the situation,” the NDRRMC official said. “But if there are any threats, we can assure residents and local government units that they will be receiving warnings in advance.”
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ADVISORY: NO TSUNAMI THREAT TO THE PHILIPPINES
Tsunami Information No.1
Date and Time: 17 Nov 2023 – 04:14 PM
Magnitude = 7.2
Depth = 010 kilometers
Location = 05.37°N, 125.15°E – Offshore Davao Occidentalhttps://t.co/zOLBiIxUH5 pic.twitter.com/XpKawYiQdJ— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) November 17, 2023
