Electrical transformer EXPLODES as 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits the Philippines

Terrifying moment an electrical transformer EXPLODES as a 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits the Philippines

  • Footage was recorded in Davao on the island of Mindanao, north of the epicentre
  • Bright flash of light seen zipping across overhead cables before loud explosion 
  • The large earthquake hit South Cotabato at 2.11pm local time today 

Footage taken during a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines today shows the moment an electrical transformer exploded while tremors shook the country.

Three people have been confirmed dead in Padada but the full list of casualties is unknown, according to local media.  

The footage was recorded in Davao on the southern island of Mindanao, north of the quake’s epicentre. 

A bright flash of light is seen zipping across overhead cables before a loud explosion is heard. 

The footage was recorded in Davao on the southern island of Mindanao, north of the quake's epicentre

Footage taken during a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines today shows the moment an electrical transformer exploded while tremors shook the country. The footage was recorded in Davao on the southern island of Mindanao, north of the quake’s epicentre

A bright flash of light is seen zipping across overhead cables before a loud explosion is heard

A bright flash of light is seen zipping across overhead cables before a loud explosion is heard

People on the streets start screaming and running for cover.  

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake hit South Cotabato at 2.11pm local time. 

In some places, residents were trapped under collapsed structures. It is not yet known how many casualties there are. 

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said there is no threat of a tsunami. 

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake hit South Cotabato at 2.11pm local time

The amount of casualties is still unknown

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake hit South Cotabato at 2.11pm local time

Officials confirmed there were a number of aftershocks across the region. 

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the magnitude 6.9 quake struck an area about 3.7 miles (six kilometres) northwest of Padada town in Davao del Sur province. It had a depth of 18 miles (30 kilometres). 

Other terrifying footage showed water violently sloshing out of a hotel swimming pool in General Santos City, also on the island of Mindanao.   

According to local media a three-storey shopping centre has collapsed and staff and customers are feared to be trapped inside. 

Patients were evacuated from two hospitals in Digos City and Bansalan town in Davao del Sur, according to local reports. 

The country was struck by three magnitude six earthquakes in October in which at least five people died.  

Rescue crew members look for trapped victims at collapsed building at Padada market

Rescue crew members look for trapped victims at collapsed building at Padada market

Other terrifying footage showed water violently sloshing out of a hotel swimming pool in General Santos City, also on the island of Mindanao

The hotel swimming pool was violently shaken

Other terrifying footage showed water violently sloshing out of a hotel swimming pool in General Santos City, also on the island of Mindanao

Ricardo Jalad, who heads the Office of Civil Defense, said his office received an initial report that a small three-story building collapsed in Padada as the ground shook and that authorities were checking if people got trapped inside. The building housed a grocery store, Jalad said without elaborating.

Officials in the southern cities of Davao and Cotabato, where the quake was felt strongly, suspended classes for Monday to allow checks on the stability of school buildings. Some cities and town lost their power due to the quake, officials said.

The Davao region has been hit by several earthquakes in recent months, causing deaths and injuries and damaging houses, hotels, malls and hospitals.

The Philippine archipelago lies on the so-called Pacific ‘Ring of fire,’ an arc of faults around the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. 

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