A strong and shallow 6.4-magnitude quake hit the southern Philippines on October 16, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, sending hundreds rushing out of a shopping mall where local television said an elderly man was injured.

The man received treatment after being struck by a falling object during the early evening quake, ABS-CBN television reported from the scene.

The quake, which was 14-km deep, was centred around 7.7 km from the city of Columbio on Mindanao island at 7.37 p.m. (5.07 p.m. IST), according to the U.S. monitor.

Chief Philippine government seismologist Renato Solidum advised residents to check their homes for possible damage.

Map locates the epicentre of an earthquake that struck near the Philippines city of Columbio on October 16, 2019. Photo: USGS

He said there was no risk of a tsunami because it occurred inland, and there were no immediate reports of serious damage.

The Philippines is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.