MANILA: A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said.
The quake, which hit 32 kilometers (about 20 miles) southwest of the small island of Sarangani at 12:14 p.m. (0414 GMT), according to the USGS, did not trigger a tsunami warning. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Sarangani Island rescuer Harly Sauro told AFP the quake had struck while a large number of people had gathered to receive a government subsidy.
“The shaking was quite strong. I saw people in panic. They were running and shouting,” he said.
“The earthquake came while the local government was giving a financial subsidy, so there were many people at the court, but everyone’s safe,” he added.
