The Philippines has been rocked by another huge earthquake, just hours after two people died from an earlier tremor.
The 6.9-magnitude quake followed an earlier one of a 7.9-magnitude which damaged schools and an international airport, forcing thousands to flee coastal towns amid tsunami warnings.
It is the seventh earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines in the last 11 hours.
The 7.9-magnitude quake hit at 9.43am local time or 01.43am GMT about 43 kilometres east of Manay town in Davao Oriental province at a depth of 23 kilometres, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The 6.9-magnitude occurred roughly 28 kilometres east of Manay about 7.12pm local time.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr had earlier said emergency teams were on standby and would be sent out when safe to do so.
"We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it," he said.
Local news reported that Provincial Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Sr said at least two people died after being pinned inside damaged homes in Davao Oriental.
Inside a building which was rocked by one of the earthquakes
|REUTERS
About 250 patients were forced to evacuate a hospital which suffered cracked walls.
It saw temporary tents set up to house the patients.
The 7.9-magnitude tremor damaged multiple buildings as well as schools and a church facade.
It also cracked roads and bridges in Manay and hit nearby towns.
People gather outside the Department of Social Welfare and Development after the 7.9-magnitude earthquake
|REUTERS
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Office of Civil Defence Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the international airport in Davao City was damaged but remained operational.
There was also a chemical spill on the sixth floor of San Pedro College in Davao City which firefighters have contained.
The nearby coastal town of Governor Generoso saw parts of buildings cracked as people rushed to the streets, according to disaster officer Jun Saavedra.
"We've had earthquakes in the past, but this was the strongest," he said.
Mr Saavedra said about 50 students were treated for bruises and dizziness.
Videos showed cars shaking, gates rattling and office workers sheltering under desks in Davao City.
It is the country's largest urban centre in the south with about 5.4 million residents.
Tsunami warnings were issued for costal regions within 300 kilometres of the epicentre.
That saw at least six provinces evacuated, however, that was lifted two hours later.
According to Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, minor waves were up to 17 centimetres in North Sulawesi’s Talaud Islands.
Residents along the cost of Palau were told to stay alert.