One person dead after massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Philippines

President Bongbong Marcos said: "Heed tsunami warning, move to higher ground now, do not wait, life is more important than anything left behind."

The earthquake struck off the coast of General Santos, located on Mindanao, the Philippine's main southern island at around 7.37am.

And at least 16 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7, have been recorded after the initial tremor.

Footage from the city shows a building housing a Jollibee - a fast food chain - collapse as a result of the earthquake's waves.

Social media video also shows Matanao National High School, in Davao del Sur, on Mindanao, collapsing to the ground as a result of the earthquake.

Parents rushed to take their children out of Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School after the tremor struck the city at around 7.40am, according to Philippines-based newspaper The Daily Inquirer.

Internet, electricity, and water services were disrupted in Koronadal City, also on Philippine's southern island, local media has reported.

Arlene Hollero, disaster chief of Maasim town in the Philippines' Sarangani, said evacuation was now underway in coastal villages, adding the damage was "devastating".

She said the water had receded shortly after the quake - but the seas were normal so far - adding a shrine with a huge cross had collapsed and a bridge had suffered some cracks.

Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel town in Sarangani in the Philippines, said the police building had cracked as a result of the earthquake's initial waves.

Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City police told Agence France-Presse: "Many buildings were affected, but I cannot enumerate them now because we are busy with ongoing rescues."

Tsunami warnings have also been issued to a number of countries with possible tsunamis, including Indonesia, Philippines, Japan, Guam, Palau, Yap, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea, according to Australian authorities.

Australia and New Zealand had been placed on tsunami watch, but both authorities now believe it is unlikely tsunamis will strike their country.

Indonesia has detected tsunami waves at three locations along its coast, according to the country's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi released a statement urging her citizens to follow the advice of local disaster officials if told to do so.

The country has now issued warnings that tsunami waves as high as 1 metre could hit southern Okinawa islands and prefectures at around 11am local time (3am BST).

The Philippines's seismology agency has warned that the earthquake's waves may continue for hours.

The first tsunami waves were forecast between 7.37am and 9.37am (2.37am BST).

Mr Marcos has also urged all Government officials to act immediately, adding that he is in "constant communication" with local authorities.

"The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind," he said.

All school classes in the Mindanao area have been suspended until further notice, Mr Marcos has ordered, adding: "The safety of our children comes first".

The Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development will prepare relief goods and evacuation centres, Mr Marcos also said in a statement.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences had previously said the earthquake had a magnitude of 8.2 before downgrading it to 7.8, adding that it struck at a depth of 6.2 miles.

Phivolcs, the Philippine agency, said the quake was magnitude 7.0 and to expect tsunami waves of above metre, while Indonesia's BMKG put the quake at a 7.7 magnitude.