Tsunami alert issued in Philippines after 6.8 quake

Manila, Feb 6: A tsunami alert has been issued in Philippines in the aftermath of an earthquake measuring 6.8 in the richter scale. The quake is believed to have been struck near central Philippines on Monday.

The tsunami alert has been issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology for central Philippines. The quake is understood to have hit a narrow strait just off Negros Island that has the capability to trigger a 3-foot (1-meter) wave along the island's eastern coast as well as west of Cebu City. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, however, did not issue any such warning.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered 44 miles (72 kilometers) north of Dumaguete city on Negros and hit at a depth of 29 miles (46 kilometers). As soon as the quake struck, people rushed out of schools, malls and offices with some offices and schools suspending operations. [UPDATE: 6.8 quake in Philippines kills 13, buries homes]

Though no major casualties have been reported, one child reportedly died when the concrete fence of a house collapsed in Taysan town in Negros Oriental province. The matter was reported by the head of the Office of Civil Defense, Benito Ramos.

The quake was felt in the town of Cebu and lasted almost 30 seconds. Philippines is located in the Pacific "Ring of Fire" that is often prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity. The last deadly earthquake to hit the country was in Luzon in 1990 that saw the death of 2000 people.

OneIndia News