8.1 magnitude quake hits Philippines, tsunami warning in Japan, Indonesia

MANILA: A strong earthquake has hit the southern Philippines. The earthquake, measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale, caused widespread power outages and sent people running from their homes. The epicenter was 10 kilometers deep, 13 kilometers southwest of Santos city on Mindanao Island. The quake struck at 7:37 am local time (5:07 am IST).

‘We are asking people to move to higher ground or further inland,’ authorities warned. Waves of up to three meters (10 feet) could hit parts of the Philippines. Tsunami waves of up to one meter (three feet) could hit Malaysia and Indonesia. A tsunami warning is also in place for Japan.

Philippines is located in one of the world's most seismically active regions. The country sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Typhoons are also common here.