(PHIVOLCS)
A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 jolted Cebu and nearby provinces on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
In its Earthquake Information No. 2, Phivolcs said the tectonic quake struck at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter traced east of Bogo City, Cebu.
Initially, it was measured as a 6.7-magnitude earthquake before being upgraded to 6.9.
The agency added that the quake had a shallow depth of five kilometers, making the tremor widely felt across the Visayas, as well as parts of Mindanao and the Bicol Region.
Phivolcs said damage and aftershocks are expected.
Reported Intensities:
• Intensity VI was recorded in Cebu City and Villaba, Leyte.
• Intensity V was felt in Argao, Cebu; Sipalay, Negros Occidental; Lapu-Lapu City; and Tacloban City.
• Intensity IV was reported in San Fernando, Cebu; Bulan, Bulusan, and Casiguran in Sorsogon; Roxas City, Capiz; Himamaylan, Negros Occidental; Ubay, Bohol; Lawaan, Eastern Samar; Laoang, Northern Samar; Catbalogan, Samar; and Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.
• Intensity III was felt in Legazpi City, Albay; Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Donsol, Sorsogon; and Tibiao, Antique.
Phivolcs advised the public to brace for possible aftershocks and refrain from entering structurally compromised buildings.