A strong earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale hit Metro Manila and surrounding provinces in Luzon on Thursday afternoon, but there were no reports of mass damage or casualties.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said earlier that the quake was measured at 6.2 on the Richter scale but revised it later to magnitude 6.

In its latest bulletin published on its website, the institute said the quake's epicenter was at sea, 27 kilometers west of Lubang island in the province of Occidental Mindoro, northern Philippines.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the earthquake at 6.1 magnitude and at a depth of 72 kilometers, revising its earlier estimate of 33 km.

The Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the quake did not cause significant damage to affected areas.

Glenn Rabonza, NDCC executive officer and Office of the Civil Defense administrator, said that initial reports showed that the intensity 6 earthquake didn't cause any serious damages to property and no one was reported killed or injured.

But the quake was strongly felt in Manila as many people rushed out of buildings.