An earthquake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale shook the Philippine island of Luzon on Monday, the German Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

The quake occurred at a depth of ten kilometres, it added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake hit the northern town of Pangi in Ilocos province. The institute did not expect any damage, but said aftershocks were likely.

Earthquakes are common in the Philippines, which lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common.