A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits the coast of the Philippines

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early Friday morning local time, according to the US Geological Survey, prompting a tsunami warning for the local area.

EarthquakeThe US Geological Survey said the quake, which struck at 9:43 a.m. local time, was centered in the Philippine Sea, about 12 miles east of the small town of Santiago. It occurred at a depth of about 36 miles.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology stated that “a devastating tsunami with life-threatening waves is expected” on the eastern coast of the archipelago nation. She added that coastal residents in these areas are “strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher areas or move inland.”

It was not immediately clear whether there was damage or injuries as a result of the earthquake.

The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami risk in Hawaii or the West Coast of the United States due to the quake.

this After a 6.9 magnitude earthquake Which struck the Philippines on September 30. That earthquake killed dozens of people in Cebu province in the central Philippines and caused severe damage in the region.