Magnitude 6.6 aftershock causes panic in southern Philippines

MANILA: A magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit the southern Philippines on Sunday, the US Geological Survey said, a day after an even more powerful quake in the same region killed two people and triggered a tsunami alert.

The latest earthquake -- one of several strong aftershocks felt in the region since late Saturday -- hit at around 6:36 pm (1036 GMT) at a depth of 56-kms northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island.

It was the same area where residents had fled to higher ground the night before following a magnitude 7.6 quake. At least two people were killed and several were injured after that quake, authorities said. It was followed by five major aftershocks of magnitudes exceeding 6.0 through Sunday, according to the USGS.