Second powerful earthquake strikes off southern Philippines within a day

Firefighters and residents hold up a toppled structure following a strong earthquake in Davao Oriental province, southern Philippines (Bureau of Fire Protection via AP)

A new offshore earthquake with a preliminary 6.9 magnitude hit the same southern Philippine region struck on Friday morning by a 7.4 magnitude quake, Philippine seismologists said.

Philippine Institute of Seismology and Volcanology chief Teresito Bacolcol said Friday night’s earthquake that jolted Manay town in Davao Oriental province was caused by movement in the same fault line, the Philippine Trench, at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles).