Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits southern Philippines, triggering a tsunami warning

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported that an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck Mindanao, Philippines, on Saturday. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 63 km (39 miles), and tsunamis were predicted to strike Japan and the Philippines soon after.

The waves might reach the Philippines by midnight (1600 GMT), according to the Philippine Seismology Agency Phivolcs, and they might last for hours.

There could be waves up to three metres above the tide line along some Philippine coasts, according to the U.S. Tsunami Warning System.

Phivolcs asked residents residing close to the coast of the provinces of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental to "move farther inland" or "immediately evacuate," adding that "boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised."

By 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, or around 30 minutes later, tsunami waves of up to one metre were predicted to reach Japan's southwest coast, according to the Japanese broadcaster NHK (1630 GMT on Saturday).

Although Phivolcs warned of aftershocks, it stated that it did anticipate significant damage from the tremor itself.

The coastal town of Hinatuan, which is close to the epicentre of the earthquake, has lost power since the earthquake struck, but disaster response teams have not yet reported any casualties or damage, according to Raymark Gentallan, the local police chief.

By 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, or around 30 minutes later, tsunami waves of up to one metre were predicted to reach Japan's southwest coast, according to the Japanese broadcaster NHK (1630 GMT on Saturday).

Although Phivolcs warned of aftershocks, it stated that it did anticipate significant damage from the tremor itself.

The coastal town of Hinatuan, which is close to the epicentre of the earthquake, has lost power since the earthquake struck, but disaster response teams have not yet reported any casualties or damage, according to Raymark Gentallan, the local police chief.