Thousands return home after Philippines quake, tsunami warning

GUIUAN, Philippines (REUTERS) - Tens of thousands of people on a central Philippine island returned home on Saturday after a tsunami alert was lifted following a 7.6 magnitude undersea quake, as local authorities began work to repair damages to public infrastructure.

The earthquake 146km off the town of Guiuan on Samar island on Friday killed one person and caused only minor damage, but prompted the United States (US) Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre to issued a tsunami warning.

Philippine authorities ordered thousands of people living in coastal villages to evacuate, but on Saturday those that had fled to higher grounds were returning home, said Mr Conrado Nicart, governor of Eastern Samar province.

"We've sent out our engineers and repair teams to inspect roads, bridges and public buildings," Gov Nicart told radio, adding the earthquake caused minor infrastructure damage.