earthquake rattles S. Philippines

An earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.9 rattled the Surigao City in southern Philippines on Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The institute said the tremor struck 8:18 a.m.Sunday local time 13 kilometers southwest of Surigao City in Surigao del Norte province, adding the tremor was tectonic in origin. It said it struck at a depth of 13 kilometers.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake, measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale, struck a a depth of 19 kilometers.

It said the quake also hit the provinces of Butuan in Mindanao and Guiuan in Samar central Philippines.

So far the institute has recorded at least two aftershocks.

The institute said it has not received any reports of damage or casualties.

source: Xinhua