Hanoi, Oct. 9 -- A 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck near northern Baguio city of the Philippines on October 9 morning, forcing hundreds of residents to flee buildings and schools to close.

According to local authorities, the quake occurred at around 10:30. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially reported it as a 4.8-magnitude tremor with expected damage, but later downgraded it to 4.4. The epicentre was located in Pugo town, close to Baguio.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong ordered the closure of elementary and high schools in the area, the city's public information office said on Facebook.

A building administrator reported that more than 300 employees and patients evacuated from the city's health offic...