Phivolcs Urges Evacuations To Continue After 7.8 Magnitude Sarangani Quake In Philippines

MANILA, June 8 (Bernama-PNA) – People in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 Sarangani earthquake on Monday should expect aftershocks and remain evacuated until the tsunami warning is lifted, the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

"People should stay away from damaged buildings and check for cracks," Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

He also advised the public to follow the instructions of local disaster risk reduction and management offices.

The earthquake, which was generated by the Cotabato Trench, has affected many areas in Mindanao.

Phivolcs earlier issued a tsunami warning and advised residents in coastal areas of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato to evacuate immediately to higher ground or move further inland.

"The first tsunami waves will arrive between 7.37 am and 9.37 am and may continue for hours," according to the Phivolcs advisory.

"Remain evacuated unless we lift the tsunami warning," Bacolcol noted.

He added that, based on Phivolcs' standard operating procedure, tsunami warnings are lifted two hours after the latest expected tsunami arrival time.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced a temporary suspension of operations at General Santos Airport following the earthquake in Sarangani.

"Assessments of air navigation facilities, equipment and operational capabilities are currently underway to ensure the continued safety and integrity of airport operations," it said in a statement.

-- BERNAMA-PNA