A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Davao Occidental in the southern Philippines late Saturday night, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The quake occurred at 10:58 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located about 315 kilometers southeast of Balut Island in Sarangani municipality, at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the surface. Authorities confirmed that despite the strength of the tremor, there was no tsunami threat to the Philippine archipelago.

Tremors were felt across several southern provinces, including Malungon and Kiamba in Sarangani, Tupi and Koronadal in South Cotabato, and Palimbang in Sultan Kudarat. Disaster officials are monitoring the affected areas for potential aftershocks and minor damage.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates.