At least three people have been killed after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Philippines at 07:37 local time (23:37 GMT).
The earthquake was recorded near the coast of General Santos City on the southern island of Mindanao, the country’s main southern island.
According to police authorities, five other people have been injured due to the tremors, BBC reports.
Following the quake, several countries in the region, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan, issued tsunami warnings, which were later largely lifted.
The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the earthquake had a depth of approximately 10 kilometers.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the immediate mobilization of all relevant government agencies and urged citizens to move to higher ground for safety.
Authorities continue to assess damage while monitoring for possible aftershocks.
