update
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck the Philippines on Monday. This was reported by the American Geological Survey USGS. At least one person was killed in the earthquake, according to an official with the Philippine authorities. A disaster team official said reports of four other deaths were still being verified. A tsunami warning was also issued.
Journalist at HLN
Source: Reuters, ANP, Belga
The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, one of the largest islands in the Philippines. The epicenter would have been at a depth of 35 kilometers.
Police in the city of General Santos in southern Mindanao had reported one death and four injuries shortly after the quake. Several buildings in the city have collapsed. Social media shows images of a fast food restaurant collapsing and a school collapsing. According to authorities, no one was present at the school.
The Philippines Seismology Agency is calling on residents of coastal areas in southern provinces to move inland or to higher ground. A tsunami alert has been declared for the next three hours.
In addition to the Philippines itself, the warning applies to coastal areas in Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicates that high waves may reach the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.