A series of strong earthquakes struck multiple regions across the globe within 12 hours, with the strongest a magnitude 6.5 earthquake off the coast of the southern Philippines.

The USGS recorded 11 earthquakes of magnitude 4.5 or higher during the period, affecting countries across Asia, Oceania, Central America and the Caribbean. The events ranged from magnitude 4.6 to 6.5, highlighting the concentration of seismic activity along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where tectonic plates frequently interact.

The largest event was a magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck 34 kilometres west-southwest of Sarangani, Philippines , at a depth of 42 kilometres.

The quake occurred in a region that is among the world's most seismically active due to the interaction of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate. The USGS assigned the event a Green PAGER alert, indicating that widespread fatalities or major economic losses were unlikely.

The tremor came less than three weeks after a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Mindanao on June 8, underscoring the region's continued seismic activity.

Japan recorded two earthquakes exceeding magnitude 5 during the same period.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Yokoshiba at a depth of 43 kilometres, followed later by a magnitude 5.7 event near Oshino at 50.9 kilometres depth, according to the USGS.

Japan sits atop the convergence of four major tectonic plates and experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, making it one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries.

Elsewhere, the USGS recorded:

Most of these earthquakes occurred along active plate boundaries, particularly around the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped belt that accounts for roughly 90% of the world's earthquakes and about 75% of active volcanoes, according to the USGS.

Why earthquakes cluster along the Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire stretches around the Pacific Ocean through the Americas, East Asia and Oceania. Continuous movement of tectonic plates causes frequent earthquakes as plates collide, separate or slide past one another.

Countries such as Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand routinely experience significant seismic activity because they lie directly on these plate boundaries.

Police displayed confiscated drugs and illegal substances before guiding visitors through exhibits highlighting the dangers of narcotics . The event ended with tonnes of seized drugs being set on fire, sending thick smoke into the sky.

"The total value of the drugs that will be burned today is 1.176 trillion Myanmar kyats, or 321.32 million US dollars," Yangon Region Police Chief Ko Ko Lwin said.

Authorities said similar destruction ceremonies also took place in Mandalay, where drugs worth about US$113.67 million were destroyed, and in Taunggyi, where narcotics valued at around US$168.76 million were incinerated.

Combined, the three events saw more than US$600 million worth of seized drugs destroyed nationwide during this year's observance.

Officials said Myanmar has carried out 41 nationwide anti-drug operations between 2013 and 2026. They added that Operation 42/26, targeting drug production networks and precursor chemicals, remains under way following expanded enforcement efforts launched in 2025.

According to official figures, joint operations by the Myanmar Armed Forces, the Myanmar Police Force and partner agencies in 2025 resulted in 5,370 drug-related cases and 7,562 arrests.

Authorities also said narcotics and related materials worth more than 1.76 trillion Myanmar kyats, approximately US$838 million, were seized during those operations.