Magnitude 8.2 Earthquake Strikes Mindanao, Philippines; Tsunami Warnings Issued

Manila. A powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, centered on the island. Immediately after the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued in Asian countries including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. According to the US Geological Survey USGS, the earthquake occurred shortly before 7:40 AM local time on Monday in the coastal area of the Mindanao island. The tremor was felt in the coastal areas of some neighboring countries as well. In view of the risk of large waves in the sea after the powerful earthquake, officials in the concerned countries have directed high alert in the coastal areas. The US government agency has advised the public in the affected areas to immediately move away from the sea and to safer places away from the coast and ports. Similarly, the Philippine earthquake monitoring center has warned that waves up to 1 meter high could come, urging citizens in coastal areas to immediately relocate to higher ground or inland areas. Indonesia's agency has issued tsunami early warning advisories for the northeastern coastal areas of the country, and Japan has warned citizens to be alert for various parts of the Pacific coast. So far, detailed information about physical and human damage caused by the earthquake is yet to come.