Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Strikes Off The Coast Of Mindanao Island In Southern Philippines

MANILA, Jan 7 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology downgraded the magnitude of an offshore earthquake that struck Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday morning, down to 6.4 from 6.7.

In an updated seismic report, the institute said the earthquake occurred at 11.02 am local time at a depth of 23 kilometres (km), with the epicentre about 55 km from the coastal town of Manay.

Tremors were felt across the island and as far as the central Philippine provinces.

There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or casualties.

The institute said the earthquake is expected to generate aftershocks and cause damage, particularly in areas near the epicentre.

The Philippines experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone of major tectonic plate boundaries known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA