A magnitude 6.4 quake hit parts of southern Philippines, killing at least two children and injuring dozens. The earthquake was felt in North Cotabato and tremors were also reported in nearby provinces, Philippines’ seismic agency Phivolcs report says.
A seven-year-old girl from a nearby town where the earthquake struck was reportedly brought to the hospital and did not survive after a wall collapsed on her.
"Our hospital chief reported that a child died because of the earthquake,“ Reuel Limbungan, mayor from North Cotabato told DZMM radio.
He said two more people were injured from his town.
The earthquake was also felt in Davao City.
A five-year-old boy from Magsaysay, Davao del Sur also died, Anthony Allada, the municipal public information officer of Magsaysay told DZMM radio.
Authorities confirmed 20 people were injured by falling debris and home furniture. One person was critically wounded.
Philippines’ seismic agency officials described the quake as "moderately strong."
Debris is scattered on the floor of a damaged building in Digos, Davao del Sur province, southern Philippines on Wednesday Oct. 16, 2019. Source: AP Photo/Romell Bacongco
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake struck 69 km (43 miles) north-northwest of the city of General Santos, Mindanao at 7:39 p.m. (1137 GMT).
The epicentre was about 80km southwest of central Davao.
Visitors and residents feared for their lives as the quake shook Kidapawan City, a town located between the epicentre of the quake and Davao.
"We felt a very strong jolt and there was a blackout. I saw people rushing down. We were panicking, heading to the exit," Naru Guarda Cabaddu, a hotel consultant visiting Kidapawan City told Reuters.
"I was driving back home when I felt a very powerful shake. I stopped and saw people and patients running out of the hospital," Raprap Rafael, a resident of Kidapawan City, told Reuters. "I'm not sleeping at my home tonight."
No tsunami warning was raised. Nearby towns are experiencing aftershocks.
