Manila, June 08 (QNA) - An earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines on Monday.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the region experienced strong aftershocks about two hours after the first earthquake, the strongest of which reached 6.5 magnitude, indicating that warnings of violent tsunami waves were issued in several countries neighboring the Philippines.

The Philippine authorities urged residents of affected coastal areas to immediately move to higher ground, with initial reports indicating dozens killed and injured by the earthquake.

This comes eight months after the country suffered the deadliest earthquake in 12 years, when a magnitude 6.9 shallow quake struck off Cebu Island, killing 79 people, followed two weeks later by two powerful tremors in Mindanao, the strongest of which reached a magnitude 7.4. (QNA)