A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday morning, prompting tsunami warnings across multiple countries and urging residents in nearby coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground, according to the country’s seismology agency.

The Phivolcs agency warned of damage and aftershocks from the strong quake, which struck in waters off Manay town in Davao Oriental in the Mindanao region.

It revised down the magnitude from an initial reading of 7.6 to 7.5, and put the depth of the quake at 20 km (12 miles).

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat, saying hazardous waves were possible for coasts within 300 km (186 miles) of the earthquake’s epicenter.

Rescue Teams Being Prepared

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said authorities

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