Reuters : Officials issued tsunami warnings after a strong magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, with no immediate reports of deaths or major damage.
Tsunami warnings were issued in the Philippines, neighbouring Indonesia and by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, with people in coastal areas warned to move to higher ground.
DZBB radio, broadcasting from the Philippine city of General Santos about 15 km (9.3 miles) from the epicentre, reported instances of falling furniture, damage to televisions and other appliances as the area experienced aftershocks and people left their homes to seek safety.
The General Santos disaster office said aftershocks were still being felt and authorities were assessing reports of damage and some injuries.
In the Philippines’ Sarangani province near the epicentre, power and telecommunications were down and school classes were suspended, said local disaster chief Rene Punzalan, adding a damage assessment was underway with no reports yet of any collapsed buildings.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said authorities were moving fast to coordinate disaster response.
“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos said in a statement.
