Philippines: Major 6.9 Earthquake Rattles Mindanao Island

The U.S. Geological Survey initially stated that the tremor measured  7.2 on the Richter scale but later downgraded it.

A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake rattled the southern Philippines island of Mindanao. The coasts of both the Philippines and Indonesia are being monitored for a possible tsunami, effecting warnings from multiple agencies including the U.S.-based National Weather Service.

"Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometers or 186 miles of the epicenter along the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced.

According to reports, Mindanao's largest city Davao, which is some 62 miles southeast of Pondaguitan, was rocked hard by the major quake. There have been no reports of casualties so far.

The U.S. Geological Survey initially stated that the tremor measured  7.2 on the Richter scale but later downgraded it.

The region is currently recovering from another major earthquake which devasted Indonesia, causing the deaths of at least 429 people after a tsunami was triggered by the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano.