On Thursday, January 23, the Philippines experienced two significant earthquakes, with no reported injuries but minor structural damage. The first tremor, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake, struck off the town of San Francisco in Southern Leyte province, located in the central Visayas region. It occurred at 7:39 a.m. (2339 GMT) and was described as brief but strong by local police chief Barnie Catig. Four hours later, a magnitude 5.4 quake hit Siocon town in the southern Mindanao region, causing minor damage to buildings.
While the earthquakes were not severe enough to cause major destruction, at least 18 houses and government buildings in Siocon sustained minor damage. Additionally, a highway in the area developed fissures but remained passable. In San Francisco, some picture frames fell from shelves, highlighting the intensity of the initial shock.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has recorded at least 68 aftershocks from the Visayas tremor. The agency is currently conducting a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the full extent of the damage caused by these quakes.
Earthquakes frequently occur in the Philippines due to its location on the Pacific Ocean's "Ring of Fire," a region known for high seismic activity. Despite the frequent occurrence of such natural events, Thursday's twin earthquakes serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure in minimizing potential impacts.
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