Philippines Lifts Tsunami Alert After 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake

The Philippines lifted a tsunami alert after a powerful earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck off the southern Philippine coast. The quake prompted villagers to flee their homes in panic. The quake struck at a depth of 32 kilometers and initially prompted tsunami warnings for the southern Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia, but these warnings were later dropped. In Japan, evacuation orders were issued in various parts of Okinawa Prefecture.

The head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology advised residents along the coast of southern Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces to evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland. Owners of boats in certain areas were also instructed to secure their boats and move away from the waterfront.

Despite the powerful quake, there were no immediate reports of a tsunami hitting the coast. The Philippines, being prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences multiple natural disasters each year.