A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale hit the Philippines at 8.48 tonight.

According to a Malaysian Meteorological Department statement, the centre of the quake was located 214km northeast of Surigao City, Philippines, and 1,145km northeast of Kinabatangan, Sabah.

Residents in the east and north coast of Sabah, and north of Sarawak have been warned to stay away from the coastal areas for the time being.

The department said it was monitoring developments and would rovide updates from time to time.

- Bernama