An earthquake measuring 7.4 has struck the Mindanao region in the Philippines, triggering a tsunami warning.
The Philippines Seismology Agency has warned a destructive tsunami “with life threatening wave heights” is expected.
The agency said it strongly advises people in coastal towns in central and southern Philippines to immediately evacuate to higher ground.
Officials said based on a local tsunami scenario database, “it is expected to experience wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits”.
People in coastal areas of seven provinces are being urged to evacuate immediately to higher ground or move further inland. The affected areas include: Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao Del Norte, Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental.
The quake struck about 62km from the town of Manay in the Mindanao region, at a shallow depth of about 10km. There are no immediate reports of damage, but multiple aftershocks – so far a 5.9 magnitude and 6.0 magnitude – have hit the same region in the last half hour.
