LATEST : 7.9 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF PHILIPPINES

Quake of 7.9 magnitude strikes off Philippines a few minutes ago.

So far no reports of a tsunami.

7.9 earthquake rocks Philippines, tsunami warning issued

Manila: An earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale rocked the coast of Philippines on Friday. Following the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan.

Tsunami alerts were also issued for Papua New Guinea and other islands in the Pacific, including the US state of Hawaii.

The NOAA Tsunami Center later lifted a warning for Japan, Taiwan and several other Pacific islands.

"Strong earthquake here in Taft, Eastern Samar! And it lasted very long too!" Samar congressman, Ben Evardone, told reporters via text message.

An official at the Philippines' Volcanolgy Institute said he expected damage had been caused in Samar province but he had yet to receive any reports.

"If you are anywhere near the coast I recommend that you head to higher ground," Paul Caruso of the USGS told Sky TV by telephone when asked about a threat of a tsunami hitting the coast of the Philippines.

The quake was centered off the east coast, 91 miles off the town of Guiuan in Samar province, the US Geological Survey said.

(With Additional Inputs from Reuters)