Magnitude 5.5 earthquake strikes off Philippine islands

A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off the Philippine Islands in the Pacific Ocean, said the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The seismic event was recorded at 02:38 UTC (06:38 Baku time), with the epicentre located 9 kilometres southeast of the city of Laoag, which has a population of over 100,000, Caliber.Az reports.

The quake’s hypocenter was at a depth of 49 kilometres.

There have been no immediate reports of casualties, damage, or tsunami threats.

By Khagan Isayev