A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Saturday, prompting tsunami warnings for several countries. The US Geological Survey reported the quake hit at 10.37pm local time (2.37pm GMT) at a depth of 32 kilometres. No immediate damage or casualties were reported.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, Palau and Malaysia. The Philippine Seismology Agency Phivolcs warned waves could hit the Philippines by midnight and continue for hours, urging residents near the coast of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental to evacuate immediately. The US Tsunami Warning System initially said waves up to three metres could occur but later stated the tsunami threat had passed.
In Japan, broadcaster NHK reported tsunami waves of up to a metre were expected to reach the southwestern coast around 1.30am Sunday (4.30pm GMT Saturday). Evacuations were ordered in some coastal areas. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre recorded the quake at magnitude 7.5 at a depth of 63 km.
Social media footage showed the moment the quake struck a bar in Davao Oriental, with patrons screaming and crouching as the ground shook. Local police chief Raymark Gentallan of Hinatuan near the epicentre reported power outages but no casualties or damage. The Philippines, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
