NewzVille Desk
An earthquake of 7.8 magnitude on Richter scale struck South Philippines on Monday, killing at least 15, collapsing buildings and sparking tsunami warnings across the region.
As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a series of powerful aftershocks rocked the area from about 2 hours after the first quake, with the largest measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government is co-ordinating with local officials, ordered suspension of classes in affected areas and directed all agencies to respond immediately.
The earthquake also caused structural damage, including cracks in a police building in Alabel, Philippines.
The Philippines’ seismology agency Phivolcs lifted a tsunami alert in the southern provinces on June 8, saying that the risks from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake had now abated.
Indonesia has also lifted a tsunami warning, hours after ordering evacuations of northern areas. The tsunami warning had ended 4.5 hours after being issued.
The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency recorded small tsunami waves in at least 9 locations, with the highest recorded at 0.75 metres in Sangihe Island.
Japan also issued a tsunami advisory for parts of its Pacific coast.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that tsunami waves were possible “within the next three hours” along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
