Magnitude 7.8 earthquake shakes Philippines and Japan, triggering tsunami alerts

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted the southern Philippines region of Mindanao on Monday, prompting tsunami alerts across the archipelago and along Japan's southeastern coast. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the seismic event. The tremor struck at 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located approximately 24 kilometers southwest of Burias Island in the Philippines. The earthquake's origin was at a depth of about 35 kilometers, according to the USGS. In response, the Philippine government issued a tsunami alert for several southern provinces, including Davao Occidental and Sulu, anticipating waves that could surpass one meter, with potential for higher surges in bays and straits. Simultaneously, the Japanese government also issued a tsunami alert, warning of waves up to one meter along its southeastern and eastern coastlines. Authorities in Kochi, a city in southeastern Japan, specifically requested residents in coastal areas to evacuate, as reported by Japanese public broadcaster NHK.