Tsunami Alert Issued After Major Earthquake in Southern Philippines

In the early hours of Monday, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani in the southern Philippines. The event prompted a tsunami alert covered by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS reported that tsunami waves were expected to make landfall between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m. local time. The warning extended to several coastal regions in southern Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago, urging the evacuation of residents.

The U.S. embassy in the Philippines recommended immediate evacuation to higher ground or relocation inland for residents in affected zones. The aftermath of the earthquake resulted in at least 15 fatalities and 129 injuries, as stated by Philippine authorities.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that there was no threat to Hawaii.

This story is developing, and further updates will follow.