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Bacolod City, Philippines Saturday, September 1, 2012
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Quake hits

Authorities last night ordered the evacuation of coastal dwellers in six Visayas and Mindanao provinces facing possible tsunami onslaught from a magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck 112 kilometers south, 78 degrees east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar province.

One death was reported in Cagayan de Oro City.

The quake also shook Bacolod City and Negros Occidental, as well as Iloilo City where it was placed at intensity 5 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. It was placed at intensity two in Sipalay City in Negros Occidental.

"Coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean of the following provinces should evacuate immediately: Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur," Phivolcs aaid in its Tsunami Bulletin No. 1 issued 9:01 last night.

Phivolcs raised tsunami alert level 3, noting the coastal areas "are expected to be affected by high tsunami waves."

"Boats at sea are advised to stay in the deeper parts of the open seas until the threat has passed," Phivolcs also said.

Experts noted earthquakes can generate tsunamis which are waves caused by displacement of large volumes of water.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Usec. Benito Ramos raised urgency in heeding Phivolcs' warning so people concerned can protect themselves.

"Evacuate immediately already," he told them.

He said the evacuees must await government's advisory on when it's already safe to return home.

The quake is of tectonic origin and struck at 8:47 p.m. (Philippine Time) at a depth of 10 kilometers, Phivolcs reported.

Phivolcs is expecting damage and aftershocks from the tremor.

Several areas in other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao felt the earthquake at different intensities, the agency added. *PNA

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