MANILA (AFP) – At least one person was killed and two were injured after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake shook the southern Philippines late on Saturday and triggered tsunami warnings that were later lifted.
The powerful quake struck off the coast of Mindanao island at a depth of 32 kilometres (km) and was followed by four major aftershocks of magnitudes exceeding 6.0 over several hours into Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said.
The initial quake triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region and sent residents along the east coast of Mindanao fleeing buildings, evacuating a hospital and seeking higher ground. There have been no reports of major damage to buildings or infrastructure so far, disaster officials told AFP on Sunday.
A 30-year-old man died in Bislig City, in Surigao del Sur province, when a wall inside his house collapsed on top of him, said local disaster official Pacifica Pedraverde.
Some roads in the city were cracked during the earthquake and aftershocks but vehicles could still drive on them, she said.
Two people suffered minor injuries in Tandag City, about 100km north of Bislig, after they were hit by falling debris, an official said.
