UPDATE - Tsunami warning issued as magnitude 7.0 earthquake jolts Philippines

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By Berk Kutay Gokmen and Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit the Philippines on Tuesday, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issuing a tsunami warning.

The epicenter of the earthquake that hit at 1359GMT on Tuesday, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), was initially determined to be in the northern Cebu region, according to the US Geological Survey.

The institute warned people to stay away from beaches and coasts in Leyte Island, Cebu Island, and Biliran Island, while urging people located close to the shoreline to move inland.

A centuries-old Catholic shrine has partially collapsed after the earthquake in Cebu City, according to the Inquirer.

The Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Bantayan Island was also reported to have collapsed during the earthquake, according to the Philstar.

Classes in schools were also suspended for Wednesday in several parts of Cebu, including Lapu-Lapu city, Mandaue city, Talisay city, Minglanilla, Consolacion and Liloan.

The German Research Center for Geosciences determined the magnitude of the quake as 6.7.

According to local Rappler news, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that damage and aftershocks are expected.