Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes off western Philippines; tremors felt in capital

An earthquake of magnitude 5.8 hit off the coast of Occidental Mindoro province in the western Philippines on Friday, August 7, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Reuters correspondents reported. The seismic event was experienced in the Philippine capital, Manila, by witnesses of Reuters.

The tremor occurred at 10:38 am local time, situated approximately 21km southwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro, and at a depth of 10km, the PHIVOLCS disclosed in an initial notice. Witnesses in Manila mentioned the shaking was felt within an office building in the capital, prompting employees of a state agency building to evacuate as a precautionary measure.

PHIVOLCS stated that no damage was anticipated from the earthquake, although aftershocks were feasible.