Earthquake in Philippines

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Tulunan area of Cotabato province on the southern island of Mindanao, Philippines.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 14 people have been killed and 403 injured. They also stated 12,000 people were sheltering in 19 evacuation centres, and over 2,000 houses have been totally or partly damaged.

This is the third earthquake to affect the area after a 6.6 magnitude quake shook the area only days before. On 16 October an earthquake with a magnitude 6.3 killed at least seven people, injured more than 200 and destroyed or damaged more than 7,000 buildings.

Several cities and towns in the quake-hit areas have closed schools and advised people not to work in office buildings as more tremors are possible.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, there was no tsunami threat with the quake.