Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Off Southern Philippines: USGS

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines early Monday, the United States Geological Survey said, the latest in a slew of strong quakes concentrated in the same area.

Monday's earthquake hit just before 4:00 am local time, (2000 GMT Sunday), at a depth of 30 kilometres (18 miles), some 72 kilometres northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island.

Two people were killed in a magnitude 7.6 earthquake in the area on Saturday, with multiple aftershocks including a 6.6 quake striking in the days since.