An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Philippines’ main island on Thursday, authorities said, halting some railway operations in the capital Manila.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.21 miles) and was felt in adjacent provinces, did not result in any fatalities or significant property damage, according to the Philippine Seismology Agency.
According to the transport ministry, the earthquake forced the closure of Manila’s three elevated railway lines.
“Railways and airports had suspension in operations. So far, no report of the major effect of the quake and we hope it remains this way,” Civil Defence spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro said.
Ceiling lights were seen shaking at a hotel in one of Manila’s business districts where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr was speaking to reporters after attending an international trade forum, according to a Reuters witness.
Peter Oliver Palacio, mayor of Calatagan, a town just 5km from the epicentre, said the quake was dizzying and added the town’s engineering department had been instructed to check for damage.
The seismology service initially reported the earthquake as having a magnitude of 6.2 but then changed it to 6.3. It stated that earthquakes and damage are expected.
