Earthquake of magnitude 5.6 strikes north of Philippines

4/12/2024 6:04

        A magnitude 5.6 earthquake
        struck the northern Philippines on Wednesday, the German
        Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said, as authorities
        warned of damage and aftershocks from the tremor.
        
        The quake was at a depth of 37 km (23 miles), GFZ said.
        
        Philippine seismology agency PHIVOLCS said the quake struck
        the northern town of Bangui in Ilocos province and warned of
        aftershocks and damage from the quake.
        
        There were no immediate reports of damage from the tremor.
        
        Bangui town disaster officer Fidel Cimatu said authorities
        are checking communities for damage.
        
        "It wasn't that strong. But the shaking lasted a bit long,"
        Cimatu said by telephone.
        
        Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, which lies on the
        so-called "Ring of Fire", a belt of volcanoes circling the
        Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity.