A major 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines island of Mindanao early Monday. Damage and casualties were still being assessed. Image courtesy Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
June 7 (UPI) — Emergency officials said damage assessments were underway early Monday in the Philippines after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted Sarangani province in the southern island of Minanao.
The powerful quake came at 7:37 a.m. local time and was centered about 20 miles west of of the town of Maasim at a depth of 20 miles.
The Office of Civil Defense received early reports of major damage to infrastructure in the area although no official verification of casualties had yet been received.
“There are reports of major damage in various infrastructure,” agency officials told reporters. “Electricity and communications are affected as well. Evacuation is also ongoing in affected coastal areas.”
Most of the affected areas are in Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings that waves of up to 10 feet were possible in some areas of the Philippines while waves up to 3 feet could strike parts of Malaysia and Indonesia.
No danger of tsunamis was imminent for the coasts of the United States or Canada, the center said.
Philippines President Bongbong Marcos said he has instructed all relevant government agencies to “act immediately,” including setting up evacuation centers and assessing damage to roads, bridges and critical infrastructure.
Marcos also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice, adding, “The safety of our children comes first.
“Please heed the tsunami warning,” he urged. “Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.”