Tsunami warning cancelled for Pacific countries after major quake

A tsunami warning was cancelled for the Philippines, Indonesia and other Pacific countries on Friday, a U.S. agency said, as damaging waves did not result from a 7.6 magnitude earthquake near the Philippines.   

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that while the tsunami threat had passed, some danger to boats and coastal structures remained from rapid currents.

Earlier, the Seismology Agency reported that waves of about 16 cm (6 inches) have hit the South of the Philippines, with higher waves expected.

A tsunami warning was issued for Indonesia, Philippines after 7.9 quake off central Philippines, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.            

Japan, Belau, Taiwan, Guam, Papua New Guinea were countries also on the watch for a tsunami according to Reuters.

Subsequently the Philippine Volcanology Center advised residents living near the coast to move to higher ground due to the risk of tsunami.

The magnitude 7.9 quake was centered off the east coast, 91 miles (146 km) off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 20 miles (32 km), the U.S. Geological Survey said.


REUTERS/LBCI