Magnitude 6.5 earthquake hits off Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake was recorded off the shore of Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental on Friday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

The PHIVOLCS earlier reported the temblor at magnitude 6.6 with a depth of 10 kilometers, and 90 kilometers southwest of Balut Island.

In an update, the quake that occurred at 7:34 p.m. 66 kilometers southwest of Balut Island was tectonic in origin with a depth of 45 kilometers.

The earthquake was felt in the following areas:

• Intensity V - Kiamba, Malapatan, Malungon, and Alabel, Sarangani; General Santos City; Koronadal City, Lake Sebu and T'boli, South Cotabato; Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat
• Intensity IV - Glan, Maasim, and Maitum, Sarangani; Don Marcelino and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; Davao City; Matanao, Davao del Sur; Koronadal City, Polomolok, and Tupi, South Cotabato
• Intensity III - Davao City; Matanao, Davao del Sur; Tampakan, Norala, Banga, Tantangan, Santo Niño, and Surallah, South Cotabato; City of Kidapawan and Makilala, Cotabato; City of Tacurong, President Quirino, Lebak, Bagumbayan, and Lutayan, and Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Zamboanga City; City of Lamitan and City of Isabela, Basilan
• Intensity II - Monkayo, Mawab, and Maragusan, Davao de Oro; City of Digos, Davao del Sur; Monkayo and Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; M'lang, Magpet, and Antipas, Cotabato; City of Kidapawan and Columbio, Sultan Kudarat; Datu Blah T. Sinsuat, Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao del Norte; Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte; Jolo, Sulu
• Intensity I - Alamada and Carmen, Cotabato; Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; San Fernando and Kalilangan, Bukidnon

The PHIVOLCS said no damages expected but aftershocks may occur. — BAP, GMA News