Tsunami Alert Issued Following Strong Earthquake in the Philippines

Philippine authorities have issued a warning about a potential destructive tsunami following a strong earthquake that hit Mindanao island. Residents in the coastal areas of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental have been advised to evacuate to higher ground. Similar warnings have been issued in Japan as well. The earthquake occurred at around 22:37 local time on Saturday, with a magnitude of 7.6 and a depth of 33km. While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology measured the quake to be slightly smaller, they still cautioned about the possibility of a destructive tsunami with life-threatening waves. The institute predicted that the first tsunami waves could hit Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental regions before midnight. Japan could also experience waves as high as one meter by Sunday morning. The American Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has issued a warning stating that waves measuring one to three meters above tide level could be possible along certain coasts of the Philippines. So far, no reports of damages or injuries have been reported.