A major undersea earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude on the Richter scale struck below waters off Sulu province's Tongkil municipality in southeast of the Philippines on Tuesday.

    Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the offshore earthquake was of tectonic origin and struck 223 kms south 23 east of Tongkil at a depth of 625 kms, Philippines News agency reported. Phivolcs is expecting further aftershocks from the earthquake after recording the first one just minutes following the main shock. 

    According to Phivolcs science research analyst Julius Galdiano, the earthquake's first aftershock was a magnitude 4.9 trembler that occurred at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday. He noted Phivolcs isn't expecting damages from the earthquake due to its depth and occurrence at sea. No tsunami alert was issued.

Source: QNA