Earthquake in the Philippines. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the South East Asian country when it was just after midnight in Italy. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred about ten miles off the coast of the island of Mindanao. The first death toll, which will be updated in the next few hours, speaks of at least 15 dead and more than 200 injured.
The collapses and tsunami warnings
Many buildings collapsed in the General Santos City area, in the southern Philippines. Some videos circulating online show the collapse of a business and people fleeing into the street. One video, in particular, recorded the destruction of a Jollibee, a Philippine fast food chain.
During the Italian night, a tsunami warning was issued, extending to Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan. In the following hours the evacuation orders were lifted and the alarm was lifted. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency recorded small tsunami waves in at least nine locations in the country – the highest being 0.75 meters on Sangihe Island.