2 Earthquakes Strike Philippines, Including 7.6 Magnitude Off Mindanao

UPDATE WITH EARTHQUAKE OFF SORSOGON, ADDS DETAILS, CHANGES HEAD, DECK, LEDE

By Alperen Aktas

ISTANBUL (AA) — Two earthquakes struck off the eastern shore of the Philippines on Saturday, including one with a magnitude of 7.6 off the southern Mindanao region, according to US Geological Survey (USGS).

The first occurred several kilometers off the province of Surigao del Sur at a depth of 32.8 kilometers (20 miles), at 10.37 p.m. local time (1437GMT), the USGS said.

No information on casualties has yet been reported by authorities.

The USGS, Japan Meteorological Agency, and PHIVOLCS — the Philippines' institute for monitoring and mitigation of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis — have issued separate tsunami warnings for coastal cities in the region.

The earthquake came hours after another earthquake of 5.5 magnitude hit off eastern Indonesia.

The second quake had a magnitude of 5.8 and occurred off the eastern province of Sorsogon at 11.06 p.m. local time (1506GMT).

"The people in the coastal areas of the following provinces are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland," PHIVOLCS said in a statement.

"The first tsunami waves are forecasted to arrive between 10: 37 p.m. (1437GMT) to 11: 59 p.m. ," it added. -