MANILA: A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Monday, according to the United States Geological Survey, just a week after a deadly quake in the same region claimed dozens of lives.
The earthquake occurred off the coast of Mindanao at 5:18pm local time. USGS reported that the tremor originated at a depth of 112 kilometres, reducing the likelihood of widespread surface damage despite its strong magnitude.
Authorities said no tsunami warning had been issued following the earthquake, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant destruction.
Kaiser Cadiz, an official with the Davao Oriental provincial disaster management office, said emergency teams were closely monitoring coastal areas as a precautionary measure. Officials were particularly observing sea conditions for any unusual changes that could indicate a tsunami threat, although no such signs had been detected.
The latest tremor comes only days after a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao on June 8. That powerful quake caused widespread destruction, triggering landslides, collapsing buildings and forcing thousands of residents to leave their homes.
The national disaster management agency has raised the death toll from last week’s earthquake to 65, while at least 36 people remain missing. Rescue and recovery operations are continuing in the affected areas.
The Philippines is among the world’s most earthquake-prone countries due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region characterised by intense seismic and volcanic activity. Earthquakes occur frequently across the archipelago, ranging from minor tremors to major destructive events.
In recent years, Mindanao has experienced several significant earthquakes, including powerful tremors in late 2025 that caused fatalities and infrastructure damage.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks and follow safety instructions issued by local disaster management agencies as monitoring efforts continue across the region.