Philippines hit by 2nd strong tremor after 7.4 magnitude earthquake, triggering tsunami alert, evacuations

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - A second strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 struck the Philippines off the southern Mindanao region just hours after a 7.4-magnitude quake hit the same location, triggering a tsunami warning and prompting coastal evacuations.

The 6.7 magnitude quake occurred at 1112GMT, 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) southeast of Santiago city, at a depth of 61.2 kilometers (38 miles), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the earthquake occurred at 7.12 pm local time with a magnitude of 6.8, at a depth of 37 kilometers (22.9 miles).

"Based on the local tsunami scenario database, it is expected to experience wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits," the institute said on a tsunami warning.

"Destructive tsunami is expected with life-threatening wave heights," it added.

"The people in the coastal areas of the following provinces (Surigao Del Sur, Davao Oriental , Surigao Del Norte) are STRONGLY ADVISED TO IMMEDIATELY EVACUATE to higher grounds or move farther inland," the notice said.

An earlier 7.4 magnitude earthquake had struck the Mindanao region, killing at least six people, according to the Inquirer.