Thursday, March 25, 2010

6.2-magnitude quake hits Philippine capital

Posted: 25 March 2010 1357 hrs

MANILA: A powerful earthquake was felt in the Philippine capital Manila on Thursday, causing office workers to rush out of buildings, but authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck in the ocean at 1.29pm (0529 GMT) with a magnitude of 6.2.

The US Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 6.1, with its epicentre located 137 kilometres southwest of Manila and at a depth of 72 kilometres.

Office workers rushed out of their buildings in Manila's Makati financial district, while government employees across town hid under their tables, radio reports said.

However, an hour after the quake, Manila's Office of Civil Defence and police said there had not yet been any reports of damage.

Government seismology institute chief Renato Solidum said the quake was felt in varying intensities in suburbs around the capital of 12 million people as well as in nearby provinces.

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