The Philippines has been rocked by a “strong” 7.5 magnitude earthquake, its second major tremor in just days.
Locals have been ordered to seek shelter on higher ground after a tsunami warning was issued.
The country’s Phivolcs seismology agency warned of damage and aftershocks after the strong offshore quake, which struck in waters off Manay town in Davao Oriental in the Mindanao region.
It said the quake – originally a 7.6, but revised down to a 7.5 – happened some six miles below the Earth’s surface.
The agency has since recorded a series of much weaker aftershocks, ranging from 2.6 to 4.9 on the Richter scale.
PICTURED: A Phivolcs map of the affected area. The seismology agency warned of damage and aftershocks after the strong offshore quake
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Images from the scene show evacuated employees gathering outside a shopping centre in Davao City, on the southern island of Mindanao
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The governor of the southern Philippine province of Davao Oriental said people panicked when the earthquake struck.
“Some buildings were reported to have been damaged,” Edwin Jubahib told broadcaster DZMM. “It was very strong.”
Images from the scene show evacuated employees gathering outside a shopping centre in Davao City, on the southern island of Mindanao.
And extraordinary footage from the same city showed construction workers running for cover several floors up on a tower block building site.
What appears to be rebar can be seen and heard shaking loudly as the earthquake unfolds – while workers cling on for support.
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Extraordinary footage from Davao City showed construction workers running for cover several floors up on a tower block building site
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People living in coastal towns in the central and southern Philippines were immediately ordered to evacuate inland after the initial quake.
Waves of up to more than one metre above normal tides are now set to follow over the coming hours.
Indonesia – which sits across the sea from Friday’s quake, also issued a tsunami warning for its northern Sulawesi and Papua regions.
The country suggested there was a risk of tsunami waves as high as 50cm making landfall.
PICTURED: Rescue personnel stand in front of a damaged structure following a 6.9-magnitude earthquake, in Daanbantayan, Cebu province, October 1
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REUTERSBut a stronger alert came from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, which revealed how waves of one to three metres could hit the Philippines.
It added that coasts in Indonesia and island nation Palau could see waves of up to one metre.
President Ferdinand Marcos has said authorities are assessing the situation on the ground, and confirmedsearch and rescue efforts were being prepared.
“We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it,” Mr Marcos said.
