Devastating earthquake of 7.5 in the Philippines: Dangerous waves threaten the coasts. Tsunami alerts were issued in several countries
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit the coastal area of southern Philippines on Friday, being issued tsunami alerts in several countries. Inhabitants of close coastal areas were asked to take refuge in higher areas.
7.5 earthquake in Philippines Photo: X
The Phivolcs Agency warned on the seismic damage and replicas that can follow after the powerful earthquake, which took place in the waters near Manay, in Oriental Davao, in the Mindanao region.
The magnitude was revised from the initial reading of 7.6 to 7.5, and the depth of the earthquake was estimated at 20 km (12 miles), writes Reuters.
The US tsunami warning system has issued a warning, mentioning that dangerous waves are possible for the ribs at 300 km (186 miles) by the earthquake epicenter.
President Ferdinand Marcos JR said that the authorities evaluate the on -site situation and that search and rescue teams will be carried out when it is safe.
“We work non-stop to ensure that the help comes to all those who need it”Marcos said in a statement.
The local authorities in the affected region could not be contacted immediately.
Phivolcs urged the people in the coastal cities in the center and southern Philippines to evacuate immediately to higher areas or to move away from the coast, specifying that waves can be expected over one meter above the normal tides.
The Pacific Center for Tsunami warning has transmitted that waves of 1 to 3 meters above the level of the tide are possible in the Philippines.
The earthquake took place two weeks after the Philippines were hit by the most fatal earthquake over the past ten years, resulting in 72 deaths on Cebu Island. It had magnitude 6.9.
The Philippines are on “The Circle of Fire” of the Pacific and records over 800 earthquakes annually.
A Tsunami warning was issued in Indonesia for Northern Sulawesi and Papua regions, and PTWC has transmitted that some ribs in Indonesia and Palau Pacific Islands could record waves up to 1 meter.
Governor Davao Oriental in the Philippines said that people panicked when he hit the earthquake. “Some buildings have been reported as damaged ”, said Edwin Jubahib for the Philippine DZMM post. “It was very strong.”
The European-Mediterranean center of seismology estimated the magnitude of the earthquake at 7.4 and the depth at 58 km (36 miles).
