A powerful earthquake of at least 7.5 on the Richter scale has occurred in Mindanao, southern Philippines, and a warning has been issued that a ‘destructive tsunami may occur’, according to local reports.
Evacuation orders have begun for parts of the Philippines and the southwestern Japanese coast.
Tsunami warnings have been issued for waves of one meter (3 feet) or more.
The Philippine Seismic Warning Center has announced that the waves could arrive at midnight and last for several hours.
The US Tsunami Warning System said some Philippine coasts could see waves as high as 3 meters above the high tide level.
Boats already at sea during this period must remain in deep water until further notice, and authorities have advised people living near the coast of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces to ‘evacuate immediately’ or ‘go inland’.
Located on the ‘Ring of Fire’, a volcanic belt around the Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity, the Philippines is prone to earthquakes.
