(NLDO) – A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines on the evening of December 2 (local time), posing a tsunami risk, prompting evacuation orders in some areas and the southwestern coast of Japan.

After the earthquake, the Philippine Seismological Service (PHIVOLCS) said a tsunami could hit the Philippines on the night of December 2 (local time) and continue for several hours.

The US Tsunami Warning System warned that tsunami waves could reach up to 3 meters above the tide level along some Philippine coasts.

photo-1701536333652

The European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) said a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred at a depth of 63 km. Meanwhile, the US Geological Survey determined the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.6 and a depth of 32 km, saying the earthquake occurred at 22:37 (local time).

PHIVOLCS said that boats at sea during this time should stay offshore in deep waters until further notice, and asked residents living near the coasts of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces to evacuate immediately or move further inland.

Meanwhile, Japan’s NHK television said a tsunami of up to 1 meter (3 feet) was expected to hit the southwestern coast of Japan at around 1:30 a.m. (local time) on December 3.

PHIVOLCS predicted significant damage from the quake and warned of aftershocks.

Raymark Gentallan, police chief of the coastal town of Hinatuan near the epicenter of the quake, said power had been cut off since the quake struck but disaster response teams had not yet recorded any casualties or damage.