Camera captures moment strong quake strikes Surigao

A camera at the Bethel Community Ministries Church in Surigao City, Surigao Del Norte recorded the moment a strong earthquake hit Surigao del Sur late Saturday evening.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

The earthquake, which was initially measured at magnitude 6.9, occurred at 10:37 p.m. at a depth of 25 kilometers.

Its epicenter was located 30 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan town.

The earthquake was felt in various intensities in the Visayas and Mindanao.

PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning following the earthquake, saying the first tsunami waves would arrive between 10:37 p.m. and 11:59 p.m.

''These waves may continue for hours,'' it said.

''Based on the local tsunami scenario database, it is expected to experience wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits. Destructive tsunami is expected with life-threatening wave heights.''

With this development, PHIVOLCS ''strongly advised'' people living in the coastal areas of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental ''to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland.''

At 3:23 a.m., PHIVOLCS lifted the tsunami warning.

"Sea level monitoring stations confirmed the occurrence of tsunami with preliminary wave heights of 0.64 meter in Mawes Island, Hinatuan, 0.18 meter in Lawigan, Bislig City, 0.05 meter in Port of Dapa, Surigao del Norte and 0.08 meter in Mati, Davao Oriental," said PHIVOLCS.

"The last recorded tsunami wave arrival in the Philippines occurred at 02:52 AM (PST) at Hinatuan-Bislig Bay Station on Mawes Island. This means that the tsunami threat associated with this earthquake has now largely passed the Philippines," the agency added.

PHIVOLCS has canceled the warning and advised local governments to assess the situation in their areas. — BAP/KG, GMA Integrated News