Authorities ordered evacuations in coastal areas of the Philippines and Indonesia after the quake struck near Mindanao, while Japan and Malaysia also issued tsunami advisories.
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippines on Monday (Jun 8) killed more than a dozen people, damaged buildings and triggered tsunami warnings and advisories across the Asia-Pacific region.
Authorities ordered evacuations in coastal areas of the Philippines and Indonesia after the quake struck near Mindanao, while Japan and Malaysia also issued tsunami advisories.
As the day progressed, some alerts were lifted, but officials continued to monitor conditions and assess the extent of the damage.
Death toll climbs to at least 15
The Philippines’ civil defence office has reported at least 15 fatalities as of 2.08pm following this morning’s magnitude-7.8 earthquake off Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Philippine police across Mindanao have also been placed on heightened alert to assist in evacuation efforts and support relief operations.
Police said they are fully committed to supporting ongoing disaster response efforts and ensuring the safety and security of affected communities.
Local authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, with rescue efforts currently underway.
Source: channelnewsasia.com