Earthquake in the Philippines. December 2, 2023
Photo. Scanpix/LGU/Handout via REUTERS
Two strong earthquakes have hit the Philippines’ second-largest island of Mindanao, initially raising fears of a possible “destructive tsunami.” The US Geological Survey rated the first earthquake as a magnitude 7.6, and the one that followed shortly after as a magnitude 6.4.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquakes had magnitudes of 6.9 and 6.4.
The US Tsunami Warning System later announced that the tsunami threat had “passed”. “Slight fluctuations in sea level may occur in some coastal areas,” the statement said.
Earlier, people living in Mindanao’s coastal areas of Surigao Del Sur and Davao Oriental in the Philippines were asked to evacuate to higher ground.
After the first earthquake on Saturday at approximately At 10:37 p.m. local time (14:37 GMT), people were seen rushing out of buildings and into the open in several cities.
There are no reports of damage or injuries.
In Japan, state public broadcaster NHK had warned that waves up to one meter high could reach Japan, but later said no damage was expected.
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2023-12-02 19:59:18
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