An earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck Mindanao, Philippines, today, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, at a depth of 63 km (39 miles), and tsunamis were expected to hit the Philippines and Japan shortly.

The Philippine Seismology Agency PHIVOLCS said tsunami waves could hit the Philippines by midnight local time (1600 GMT) and could continue for hours.

The Japanese broadcaster NHK said tsunami waves of up to a metre (3 feet) high were expected to reach Japan's western coast a little later - by 1:30 a.m. on Sunday (1630 GMT on Saturday).

All the countries have raised the alarm in advance to safeguard the life and property. 

An earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck Mindanao, Philippines, today, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said, at a depth of 63 km (39 miles), and tsunamis were expected to hit the Philippines and Japan shortly.

The Philippine Seismology Agency PHIVOLCS said tsunami waves could hit the Philippines by midnight local time (1600 GMT) and could continue for hours.

The Japanese broadcaster NHK said tsunami waves of up to a metre (3 feet) high were expected to reach Japan's western coast a little later - by 1:30 a.m. on Sunday (1630 GMT on Saturday).

All the countries have raised the alarm in advance to safeguard the life and property.