Powerful earthquake hammers Cotabato, other parts of Mindanao anew

A building damaged by a 6.5-magnitude earthquake is seen in Kidapawan on Thursday.  (AFP)

MANILA, Philippines – A powerful earthquake pounded Tulunan, Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao anew on Thursday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

READ: Magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolts parts of Mindanao

In its updated earthquake bulletin, Phivolcs said the magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck 28 kilometers northeast of Tulunan at 9:11 a.m.

A hotel in Kidapawan City sustained heavy damaged and nearly collapsed due to the latest earthquake.

READ: Kidapawan hotel in near collapse as magnitude 6.5 earthquake jolts Cotabato

Damaged buildings were likewise reported in Davao City and other parts of Mindanao.

The latest earthquake was recorded at Intensity VII in Tulunan, Cotabato; Kidapawan City; Sta. Cruz, Matanao, Bansalan and Magsaysay in Davao del Sur; and Intensity VI in Tampakan, South Cotabato.

The other intensities measured are the following:

Intensity V – General Santos City; Tupi, South Cotabato; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity IV- Lebak, Sultan Kudarat

Instrumental Intensities:

Intensity VII – Kidapawan City

Intensity V- Malungon, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato

Intensity IV- Kiamba and Alabel in Sarangani; Koronadal City; General Santos City

Intensity III – Gingoog City; Cagayan De Oro City

The earthquake was tectonic in origin and had a depth of 6 km.

Phivolcs warned of possible aftershocks and damage to infrastructure.

The strong temblor is the latest in a series of earthquakes that rocked Cotabato and nearby province and left at least seven people dead and caused significant damage to property. /gsg

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