6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Philippines

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Surigao del Sur in the Philippines on Saturday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Seismology.

The institute said in a statement that residents felt the earthquake at 6:22 a.m. Saturday, 66 kilometers north of the “Lingig” area, the Philippine Star reported today.

The institute added that aftershocks were expected but no damage would be caused by the earthquake.

The quake did not trigger a tsunami alert, according to the institute and the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center.

The German Geoscience Research Center GFZ also said earlier that there were no immediate reports of damage to life or property caused by the earthquake.

The center explained that the epicenter of the earthquake was 10 kilometers deep and located at 8.23 ​​degrees north latitude and 126.82 degrees east longitude.