"Strong 6.3 Earthquake Hits Philippines: Manila's Railways Temporarily Suspended"
On Thursday, a magnitude 6.3 earthquake occurred on the main island of the Philippines, leading to the temporary suspension of certain railway operations in the capital city, Manila. The earthquake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) beneath the sea and was felt in neighboring provinces as well. Fortunately, there were no reports of any significant harm or casualties following the earthquake, as confirmed by the Philippine seismology agency. The transport ministry promptly announced the cessation of operations for Manila's three elevated railway lines as a precautionary measure. Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, a spokesperson for civil defense, expressed relief that no major consequences had been reported thus far, and expressed hope that the situation would remain unchanged. Witnesses observed the shaking of ceiling lights in a hotel located within one of Manila's business districts while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was addressing journalists after attending an international trade forum, according to a Reuters witness.
Peter Oliver Palacio, the mayor of Calatagan, a town situated merely 5 kilometers away from the epicenter, described the earthquake as disorienting and stated that the town's engineering department had been instructed to assess any potential damage. Initially recorded as a magnitude 6.2 earthquake, the seismology agency later revised the measurement to 6.3, while also issuing a warning about the possibility of aftershocks and additional damage.