Major quake hits off Philippines, tsunami alert cancelled

MANILA (REUTERS) - An earthquake of 7.6 magnitude struck off the Philippines on Friday damaging roads and bridges and sending people fleeing to higher ground in fear of a tsunami, a politician and authorities said.

The quake was centred off the east coast, 146km off the town of Guiuan in Samar province at a depth of about 32km, the United States (US) Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for much of the region, but cancelled it about two hours later.

However, Philippine authorities maintained their tsunami warning after ordering residents to get out of coastal areas immediately.