A powerful earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early Monday, prompting tsunami warnings across parts of the region.
The quake struck at 7:37 am (2337 GMT on Sunday) local time and registered a magnitude of 7.8, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially put the magnitude at 8.2 and said the quake struck at a relatively shallow depth of 63 kilometres.
Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning, saying waves of up to 3 metres were possible. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also warned that, based on all available data, hazardous tsunami waves were forecast for some coasts.
People in coastal areas were urged to move to safety immediately.
Local radio stations reported that schools in the affected region were to remain closed. According to local media reports, several buildings collapsed.
The quake was also felt in parts of Indonesia, particularly on the island of Sulawesi, where a tsunami warning was also issued. Japan likewise warned parts of its Pacific coastline of possible waves.
President Marcos issues warning
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr immediately ordered relief and protective measures and called on the population to follow the instructions of the authorities.
"Move to higher ground now. Do not wait," Marcos said in a statement.
He said that people's lives were more important than anything they might have to leave behind.
The president stressed that the government had instructed all relevant authorities to act immediately. He ordered the suspension of all classes in the affected areas of Mindanao.
"The safety of our children is the top priority," he said.
The region lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of intense tectonic activity encircling the Pacific Ocean, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur with particular frequency.
