6.5-magnitude earthquake strikes southern Philippines weeks after deadly Mindanao quake

A strong earthquake struck waters off the southern Philippines on Friday, reviving concerns in a region still recovering from a devastating tremor earlier this month that claimed more than 80 lives.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the offshore earthquake measured 6.5 magnitude and occurred at 7:42 pm local time (1142 GMT). The quake was recorded about 35 kilometres southwest of Jose Abad Santos town in Mindanao, at a depth of 52.4 kilometres beneath the seabed. The USGS later adjusted the magnitude from an initial estimate of 6.7.

Authorities did not issue a tsunami alert following the latest tremor.

Local rescue officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage. Jerson Talahig, a rescue officer in Santa Maria town, said the shaking was intense but lasted only briefly, with household items and lights visibly moving during the quake.

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The latest earthquake struck as communities continue to deal with the impact of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Mindanao on June 8. That disaster damaged buildings, triggered landslides and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. At least 81 people were killed and more than 1,300 injured.

The powerful quake forced the seabed upwards by two metres (6.6 feet) on a long stretch of the coast, pushing previously submerged coral above the water and extending the shoreline by as much as 200 metres in a geological phenomenon known as "coastal uplift".

A series of strong aftershocks rocked the area from about two hours after the first quake, including a 6.5 magnitude tremor.

As of Friday, the June 8 quake had killed 81 people and injured more than 1,300.

Earthquakes are a near-daily occurrence in the Philippines, which is situated on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

The Cotabato Trench, which lies as close as 50 kilometres (31 miles) off the coast of southern Mindanao, is the site of frequent seismic activity, including a "swarm" of thousands of mostly small earthquakes recorded in January.

With inputs from agencies