Manila, Aug 31 (IANS) A major earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale was felt off the east coast of Samar province in the central Philippines at 8.47 p.m. local time Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
No casualties or property damage has been reported so far.
The epicentre of the quake was initially determined to be 146 km east of Samar with a depth of 34.9 km.
A tsunami warning was issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Taiwan region immediately after the earthquake by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity.