Strong 6.2 Quake Hits Philippines - No Damage Reported

Manila (ANTARA/Reuters) - A strong earthquake recorded at magnitude 6.2 struck off the coast of the central Philippines early on Tuesday, but officials said they expected no major damage from the tremor. No tsunami alert was issued. The Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology said the quake struck at 4:47 a.m. (2047 GMT on Monday) 83 km (51 miles) southwest off Negros island. It said the quake, felt in the island's nearest major city of Sipalay, was shallow at 4 km. Two aftershocks of 5.7 and 5.5 were recorded in the same area, about 500 km south of the capital Manila. The head of the agency, Renato Solidum, said further aftershocks were likely but no damage was expected. The U.S. Geological Survey put the initial quake at magnitude 6.6.