Wave warning after quake off Philippines

Authorities have warned of large waves as far away as Indonesia after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the Philippines.

Earthquake

The location of a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck at 5:21am local time, at 8.3 km of depth, 18.5 km south east of Kalilangan, Mindanao region, Philippines. Source: United States Geological Survey

A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 has struck off the coast of the island of Mindanao in the Philippines and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says there is a risk of large waves as far away as Indonesia.

The Philippines Institute of volcanology and seismology said the earthquake was about 57km southwest of Sarangani on Saturday.

It was felt in most parts of Mindanao, the biggest island in the south of the archipelago nation.

There were no initial reports of damage or casualties.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous waves could spread 300km away from the epicentre.

But Renato Solidum, head of the Philippines seismology agency, told Reuters no tsunami warning was issued and there was no need to evacuate the areas affected.

But the agency had issued an advisory saying people could expect a minor drop in the sea level, large waves and people should steer clear of the coast, he said.

The Philippines is on the geologically active Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent earthquakes, several in March in the main island of Luzon, which were felt in the capital Manila.

The US Geological Survey initially said the quake measured 7.2 but later downgraded it to 6.8.


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Source: AAP


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