Quake shakes central Philippines, no casualties or damage
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-15 09:56

An earthquake measuring about 5.0 on the Richter scale hit the central Philippines, causing alarm among residents, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, authorities said.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, struck at about 6:53 am (2253 GMT Thursday) and was felt in the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod and Cebu, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

People rushed out of buildings and into the middle of roads and plazas in fear that buildings could collapse, witnesses said. However calm returned quickly, they said.

The epicenter of the quake was about 460 kilometers (285 miles) south of Manila, just beside the central island of Iloilo, the institute said.

There was no sign of any tsunami, it said.

Although about five quakes hit the Philippines every day, few if any are felt. Only three major, destructive tremors have been recorded in more than 30 years, the volcanology institute has said.

Close

Space shuttle Discovery launch delayed Blair plans measures to uproot extremism Pakistan train crash carnage kills 128

Today's Top News     Top World News
China to launch manned spacecraft in October         PLA on course to cut 200,000 personnel         Japan approves oil drilling, China protests         China plans to build 10 more nuclear reactors         UK bomb probe focuses on chemist, Briton         Cross-Straits exchanges widen with business	UK bomb probe focuses on chemist, Briton       France celebrates Bastille Day       US military official accuses Russia, China of bullying       Pakistanis hunt for missing relatives after train disaster       Israeli copters pound Gaza after woman's death       South Korea, Japan, U.S. discuss extending talks