Philippines: Magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurs offshore of southern Mindanao at around 18:22 Aug. 27

Event

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred off the southern shore of Mindanao at around 18:22 Aug. 27. The epicenter was about 5 km (3 miles) west-southwest of Burias, Sarangani Province. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 47 km (29 miles), and light shaking likely occurred across much of Mindanao. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties because of the earthquake. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.