Disasters & Incidents
Philippines earthquake: no casualties reported after 6.3
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck off Sarangani Island in the southern Philippines on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey said, with no tsunami warning and no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
The USGS said the quake hit 32 kilometres southwest of the small island at 12:14 pm local time, or 0414 GMT. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center placed the quake at a depth of 62 kilometres.
Sarangani Island rescuer Harly Sauro told AFP the shaking hit while many people had gathered to receive a government subsidy. He said people panicked and ran, but that everyone at the site was safe.
“Based on our assessment and experience, we don't think there will be casualties or damage,” Sauro said.
The quake followed a June 8 tremor on nearby Mindanao that killed at least 76 people, toppled buildings and triggered landslides. Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Update
A Sarangani Island rescuer said people gathered for a government subsidy panicked during the shaking but were safe.
The rescuer said that, based on his assessment and experience, he did not think there would be casualties or damage.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center placed the quake at a depth of 62 kilometres.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 04:56:46 UTC.
Update
The USGS placed the quake 32 kilometres southwest of Sarangani island.
The quake struck at 12:14 pm local time, or 0414 GMT.
No tsunami warning was triggered.
There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
Source note: AFP news report published on 5 August 2026 at 04:45:07 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Damage and casualty assessments were still preliminary, with no immediate reports at the time described.
Source
AFP news report published on .