Magnitude 6.6 quake strikes southern Philippines

A magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolted the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, according to the Philippine state seismology agency Phivolcs. The tremor's epicenter was located 164 kilometers (102 miles) southeast of Governor Generoso in Davao Oriental province, with a focal depth of 86 kilometers.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol clarified that this earthquake originated along the Philippine Trench. He emphasized that it is not linked to the powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, which had its epicenter over 250 kilometers away. The agency stated that no damage is expected from the recent seismic activity.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake on June 8 has risen to 65, with 36 individuals still reported missing, according to the country's civil defense agency. Rescue and recovery efforts continue in the areas most affected by the earlier, stronger quake.

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yesterday’s quake originated along the Philippine Trench and is not connected to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao on June 8, with its epicentre more than 250 km away.