At least 25 injured in 5.5-magnitude earthquake in southern Philippines

MANILA - At least 25 people were injured and several houses, churches and buildings were damaged when a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Surigao del Sur province in southern Philippines early on Saturday, a government disaster report said.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake, which struck at 4:42 am local time (2042 GMT Friday), hit at a depth of 5 km, about 9 km southeast of Carrascal town in the northeast coast of Mindanao island.

In the report, Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Liza Mazo said 25 injured people were recorded across the region after the earthquake and all were treated in nearby hospitals.

According to the report, at least four neighboring towns in Surigao del Sur province sustained damages from the tremor.

Mazo said at least two churches in the coastal towns of Lanuza and Carmen were damaged along with some houses and buildings.

Aside from Lanuza and Carmen towns, Mazo said a number of houses, buildings in the towns of Madrid and Cantilan were also damaged.

"So far the situation is still manageable," Mazo added.

The Phivolcs said the earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, was also felt in some cities in southern Philippines and Cebu City in central Philippines.

The institute said aftershocks are expected.