The Philippines is on high-alert after the coastal townships were handed a tsunami warning on Saturday night. People were asked to relocate to safer locations after a powerful earthquake rocked the ocean. According to the Philippine Seismology Agency Phivolcs said the waves could hit the Philippines by midnight. However, a few other countries are also gearing up for the worst.
Here is what we know so far about the earthquake and the tsunami warning that followed:
- A powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 was reported off the coast of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Saturday night.
- The earthquake was followed by a tsunami warning by the Philippine authorities.
- There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
- The US Geological Survey stated that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 32 kilometres around 10:37 PM local time.
- Based on the magnitude and location of the earthquake, tsunami waves may hit the southern parts of the Philippines. Regions of Indonesia, Palau and Malaysia are also in the danger zone.
- Based on the earthquake's magnitude, the resultant tsunami waves maybe 1 metre high. The waves could be higher in enclosed coves, bays and straits, the Associated Press reported.
- Residents of the Philippines's southern Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces were asked to vacate their homes immediately to higher ground or move further inland.
