Several people were killed in a major earthquake in the Philippines on Friday. In several places in the south of the island kingdom, buildings were damaged and panic briefly broke out, as dramatic videos on social networks showed.
A woman and her husband were killed by a collapsing wall near a timber factory in the city of General Santos on the southern main island of Mindanao, local police said. These are currently the only reported fatalities.
According to the American Earthquake Observatory USGS, the earthquake occurred in Mindanao’s Sarangani province at a depth of 78 kilometers. It therefore reached a magnitude of 6.7.
Chaos and panic in the mall
The ceiling collapsed at a shopping center in General Santos City, almost a hundred kilometers from the epicenter. Video footage shows customers hiding under tables and screaming in fear. “I saw things falling from the ceiling,” said an eyewitness. “When we came out, we saw cracks and debris outside.”
“I think it was the strongest earthquake I have ever experienced”
According to emergency services in General Santos, about thirty students have been treated for breathing problems due to fear of the earthquake. The tremors also caused many people to panic in Davao City. “I think this was the strongest earthquake I’ve ever experienced,” said a 27-year-old woman. “The people around me panicked and ran away.”
According to the Civil Protection Authority, cracks appeared in several school buildings in the municipality of Jose Abad Santos. However, no “substantial damage” was reported.
Pacific Ring of Fire
The Philippines is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, where several plates collide. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur regularly in the Southeast Asian country.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
