Philippines Earthquake: Tsunami alert after massive earthquake of 7.8 magnitude in Philippines, now 19 dead, more than 200 injured

New Delhi. A strong earthquake on Monday morning left people in panic in Mindanao Island, the southern part of the Philippines. The intensity of the earthquake has been recorded at 7.8 on the Richter scale, after which a tsunami warning has been issued in many coastal areas. After the earthquake, there have been reports of power supply being disrupted and people running out of their homes and running to safe places. However, no major damage or loss of life has been officially confirmed yet. The affected buildings mostly include shops, offices and commercial buildings. According to the police, 19 people have died so far, while more than 200 people are injured.

Read :- Tsunami Alert: A strong earthquake of 7.6 magnitude occurred near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean, fear of tsunami!

The epicenter of the earthquake was near General Santos.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the epicenter was located about 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos city on Mindanao Island. Its depth was about 10 kilometers. The earthquake occurred at 7:37 am local time, causing strong tremors to be felt across the region.

Tsunami threat, warning of high waves

Immediately after the earthquake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami alert. After this, Indonesia’s Geophysical Agency also issued a warning for its north-eastern coastal areas. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) warned that waves more than one meter above normal tide level could occur in affected coastal areas. The effect of these waves can last for several hours.

Read :- Philippines 7.6 Earthquake: Strong earthquake of 7.6 magnitude hits Philippines, tsunami alert issued

People advised to go to safe places

Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Seismological Agency, advised people living in coastal areas to immediately move to safe places or higher ground. Officials have said that the situation is being continuously monitored and relief and rescue teams have been alerted.

Tremors felt in many countries

Earthquake shocks were not limited to the Philippines only. Tremors were also felt in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. Apart from this, the possibility of mild tremors has also been expressed in Taiwan, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea and many island countries of the Western Pacific.

Why do earthquakes occur again and again?

Read :- Japan Earthquake: Japan’s land trembled due to earthquake, ground shook due to 6.0 magnitude tremor.

It is noteworthy that both Philippines and Indonesia are counted among the most earthquake affected areas of the world. These countries are located in a geological region called the “Pacific Ring of Fire”, where several tectonic plates collide with each other. For this reason, natural disasters like major earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis are often seen here. Besides, this country also faces about 20 storms and typhoons every year.