Philippines tsunami fears following massive 5.9 magnitude earthquake with buildings damaged and tourists fleeing
Three strong earthquakes have damaged buildings in the area
A 5.9 MAGNITUDE earthquake in the Philippines has sparked tsunami fears.
Three strong earthquakes have damaged buildings, with tourists fleeing a popular resort near the Philippine capital of Manila as a result.
The first 5.5 magnitude quake struck at 7am this morning, followed by a 5.9 quake just a minute later.
A 5.0 quake hit in the same region after another 20 minutes, according to geologists.
Filipino tourist Arnel Casanova, 47, said: "I was in the pool taking diving lessons when the ground shook... We all climbed out and ran. Concrete slabs were falling.
"When I went back to my room the ceiling had collapsed and the glass windows were broken, but so far everybody is safe."
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Mabini Mayor Noel Luistro said: "We are evacuating some people who live on the coast.
"We want them to stay in a safe area tonight.
"The town is full of tourists, both local and foreign this weekend."
The Philippines lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many of the world's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
A 6.5-magnitude quake killed eight people and left more than 250 injured outside the southern city of Surigao in February, and another 5.9-magnitude tremor killed one person there last month.
Before the Surigao quakes, the last lethal earthquake to hit the country was a 7.1-magnitude tremor that left more than 220 people dead and destroyed historic churches when it struck the central islands in October 2013.