On December 2nd, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck Mindanao, Philippines, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The quake occurred at a depth of 63 km (39 miles) and raised concerns about potential tsunamis hitting the Philippines and Japan.
The Philippine Seismology Agency PHIVOLCS warned that tsunami waves could hit the Philippines by midnight local time, with the potential to continue for hours. Meanwhile, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that tsunami waves up to one meter (3 feet) high were expected to reach Japan’s western coast around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.
The U.S. Geological Survey put the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.6 and a depth of 32 km (20 miles), noting that it occurred at 10:37 p.m. (1437 GMT).
The situation is being closely monitored, and authorities in both countries are urging residents to take precautionary measures as a result of the potential tsunami threat.
Reporting by Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Diane Craft and Alison Williams. This news article meets the Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.