The southern Philippines island of Mindanao was rocked by a substantial earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude, as reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) on Saturday.
Following the seismic activity, the US tsunami warning system issued an alert due to the tremors. The earthquake occurred at 10:37 pm, registering at a moderate depth of 32 kilometers (20 miles).
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, considering the magnitude and location of the earthquake, anticipates tsunami waves that could impact the southern Philippines, as well as parts of Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of an anticipated destructive tsunami, emphasizing life-threatening wave heights. It urged immediate evacuation for those in Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces, advising relocation to higher ground or further inland.
Simultaneously, Japanese broadcaster NHK stated expectations of tsunami waves up to a meter reaching Japan's southwestern coast around 1:30 am on Sunday (1630 GMT on Saturday).
Reports from a Philippine government agency highlighted the urgent need for residents in Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces, situated on the eastern shores of Mindanao, to swiftly move to higher ground or inland, as shared in an AP report.
In response to the alert, Hinatuan police Sergeant Joseph Lambo directed around 45,000 municipality residents to evacuate immediately. Many took to foot or vehicles to reach higher elevations, while boat owners were instructed to secure their vessels and move away from the coastline.
This seismic event follows last month's 6.7 magnitude earthquake in the region, which resulted in eight fatalities.
The Philippines, situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," frequently experiences seismic and volcanic activity. While most quakes are imperceptible to humans, occasional strong and damaging earthquakes occur unpredictably, with no current technology available for precise prediction.