A strong magnitude 6 point 0- earthquake hit the southern Philippines at dawn today, damaging dozens of houses and sending people fleeing into the streets for safety. Authorities said there were no immediate reports of serious casualties but electricity was cut and water pipes ruptured in Lanao del Sur, a mainly rural region some 800 kilometres south of Manila.
The state seismology office said the quake was felt in 16 other cities and towns in the south including the major urban centres of Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
