Magnitude 6.7 earthquake jolts Southern Philippines, a day after deadly Venezuela tragedy

Just a day after devastating earthquakes claimed hundreds of lives in Venezuela, a powerful 6.7-magnitude quake struck the Philippines, raising fresh concerns in the quake-prone region.

New Delhi: A powerful magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, just a day after twin earthquakes caused widespread devastation in Venezuela.

While there were no immediate reports of casualties or tsunami threats in the Philippines, the latest tremor has heightened concerns across the seismically active region.

Venezuela Earthquake Horror: 235 dead, 4,300 injured as rescue teams race against time

6.7-Magnitude Quake Hits Near Mindanao

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 7:42 p.m. local time. The epicentre was located about 21 kilometres southwest of Sarangani on Mindanao island at a depth of approximately 65.7 kilometres.

Authorities did not issue a tsunami warning following the quake, and there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries. However, local agencies are monitoring the situation and assessing any impact in nearby communities.

The latest earthquake struck less than three weeks after another powerful tremor in the same region left more than 80 people dead, highlighting the area's vulnerability to seismic activity.

Venezuela Continues Rescue Operations

The Philippines quake came as rescue teams in Venezuela continued searching for survivors after twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the South American nation on Wednesday.

The disaster has claimed at least 589 lives, while thousands of people have been injured. Rescue workers are clearing collapsed buildings and searching for those still trapped under the rubble.

At least 164 people dead after back-to-back quakes in Venezuela; Says acting president

The worst-hit region is La Guaira, where hundreds of buildings suffered severe structural damage. The country's main international gateway, Simón Bolívar International Airport, also sustained extensive damage, disrupting transportation and relief operations.

Thousands Still Missing

Authorities are racing against time as thousands remain unaccounted for. Venezuela's political opposition has launched an independent online portal to help families trace missing relatives, with tens of thousands of names reportedly listed.

The government has declared La Guaira a disaster zone and has deployed emergency medical teams and field hospitals to assist victims. Hospitals in the region are operating at full capacity as relief efforts continue.

The back-to-back earthquakes in different parts of the world underscore the growing challenges faced by disaster response agencies in regions prone to powerful seismic activity.