Strong 6.8 quake hits central Philippines

MANILA: A strong 6.8 earthquake hit the central Philippines Monday but there was no danger of a widespread tsunami, seismologists said.

The quake hit 70 kilometres (44 miles) north of the city of Dumaguete on Negros Island at 11:49 am (0349 GMT) at a depth of 46 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology measured it as 6.9 at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres centred in the sea off the city of La Carlota.

Philippine seismologists and local residents said there was panic but no immediate reports of casualties or major damage.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no danger of a widespread destructive tsunami.

The Philippines sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire" -- a belt around the Pacific Ocean where friction between shifting tectonic plates causes frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.