Tsunami warnings issued after 7.4-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines

Tsunami warnings were issued for several countries after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines early on Friday.

It was centred about 27 miles (43 km) east of Manay town, in Davao Oriental province, at a depth of 14 miles (22km).

At least five people were killed, authorities in the Philippines said, as the quake damaged buildings and triggered landslides.

People in coastal areas were urged to go inland or move to higher ground.

The US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said waves of up 1-3m (3-10ft) were possible, with the warning also covering Indonesia's Sulawesi and Papua regions.

However, the PTWC and the Philippines Seismology Agency lifted their alerts after several hours after no major waves were detected.

A second 6.9-magnitude tremor was recorded later, but it was unclear if it was a separate quake or a tremor.

Two of the victims died of heart attacks at a hospital during the first quake, said civil defence regional director Ednar Dayanghirang, while two more were killed in a landslide in a remote gold mining village in Davao de Oro province.

Schoolchildren were also evacuated from classrooms in Davao city, the biggest city near the epicentre.

Disaster official Richie Diuyen told Reuters the quake lasted 30-40 seconds.

"We couldn't stand earlier. I am 46 years old now, and this is the strongest earthquake I ever felt. The damage is quite big," she said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos said authorities were assessing the situation on the ground.

"Search, rescue, and relief operations are already being prepared and will be deployed as soon as it is safe to do so," he said.

"We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it. Let us continue to look out for one another and pray for the safety of all our countrymen," the president added.

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The quake is among the strongest to hit the Pacific "Ring of Fire" in recent years, an areas that has more than 800 quakes annually.

The Philippines is still recovering from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on 30 September, its deadliest in more than a decade, which killed at least 74 people and displaced thousands, mainly in Cebu province.

The archipelago is also hit by around 20 typhoons and storms annually.

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