Massive 8.2 earthquake near Philippines triggers tsunami alerts across Asia

Tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Asia on Monday after a powerful 8.2 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake hit near the island of Mindanao shortly before 7:40 AM local time.

Authorities in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia warned residents in coastal areas to prepare for possible tsunami waves following the undersea quake.

The US Geological Survey advised people in affected regions to stay away from beaches, harbours and coastal waters as emergency agencies monitored wave activity.

The earthquake was strong enough to trigger regional tsunami alerts, raising concerns about dangerous sea surges and coastal flooding.

Officials were still assessing the potential impact of the quake, and there were no immediate reports of major damage or casualties.

Emergency authorities in several countries urged residents to follow evacuation orders and monitor official updates as the situation developed.

The Pacific region is part of the so-called Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity caused by shifting tectonic plates.