Manila: Tourists and residents were told to stay away from beaches as the government issued a tsunami warning following a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the eastern coast of Kamchatka, Russia on Wednesday. In an advisory, the Department of Tourism (DOT) urged those in shoreline communities to "move farther inland" as a precaution.
According to Philippines News Agency, owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal water of the affected provinces were advised to secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised, it said.
Until further notice, the public is advised to stay away from coastlines in the following areas: Luzon, including the Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Catanduanes; Visayas, including Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte; and Mindanao, including Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao Occidental, and Davao del Sur.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said minor tsunami waves of less than one meter may affect several coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean, with the first waves expected between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. Wednesday. The coastal town of Baler, Aurora was also hit by a 4.0 magnitude tremor, according to Phivolcs's Earthquake Information No. 2 issued at 10:41 a.m. Wednesday.
The DOT said it will closely monitor the situation in coordination with Phivolcs, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and local government units through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Communications Team (DDRMCom) and Regional Offices. The public, meanwhile, is urged to regularly check updates from reliable sources, including concerned national government agencies, and follow the instructions of their local government units amid the warning.
Tourists needing assistance may contact the DOT's 24/7 Tourist Assistance Call Center via the following channels: Hotline 151-TOUR (151-8687), Mobile +63 954 253 3215, Email [email protected], Website www.tourism.gov.ph, and Facebook Messenger Department of Tourism - Philippines.
