Strong earthquake hits Batangas on Christmas morning
MANILA – A Magnitude 6.3 earthquake rocked Batangas and Occidental Mindoro at 7:43 AM today.
Science and Technology Undersecretary and concurrent Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Dr. Renato Solidum said the earthquake had a dept of 102 kilometers and its epicenter was 11 kilometers west of Calatagan, Batangas.
Mrs. Chebelle Almeida Velasco said she and her family were at the 13th floor in a condotel in Tagaytay City when she was awakened by the shaking.
“Grabe ang lakas at ang tagal, (It was strong and lasted long),” Mrs. Velasco said in her social media account. She added they had to leave the building as officials will check on its structural integrity.
PHIVOLCS said it was a strong earthquake caused by the subduction along the Manila Trench. It was felt as far as Alaminos City in Pangasinan to the north and Baler in Aurora province to the northeast.
“The strong earthquake is deep and will not cause significant damage and tsunami,” Undersecretary Solidum said in a statement. There have been nine (9) aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 2.0 to 3.2 have been recorded as of 10:20 A.M. today.
Metro Manila residents felt some shaking at 7:43 A.M. today. Some social media posts disclosed some books fell from bookshelves.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said there were no casualties reported at this time but added there houses were slightly damaged. (Melo M. Acuna)
At least three houses were slightly damaged by the Magnitude 6.3 earthquake on Christmas morning. (Photos from Lubang, Occidental Mindoro MDRRMO/NDRRMC)
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