Daijiworld Media Network - Manila

Manila, Oct 10: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck offshore in the southern Philippines on Friday, prompting tsunami warnings and evacuation alerts across coastal areas.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake occurred off the coast of Manay town in Davao Oriental, Mindanao, at a depth of 10 km. Authorities have warned of possible damage and aftershocks following the tremor.

Residents in coastal towns across central and southern Philippines were advised to move to higher ground or further inland as a precautionary measure. Phivolcs said wave heights could exceed one metre above normal tides within the next two hours.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded the quake at a magnitude of 7.4 and a depth of 58 km. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also issued an alert, warning that hazardous tsunami waves could affect areas within 300 km of the epicenter.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage at the time of reporting.