Philippines issues tsunami alert after powerful earthquake in China's Taiwan

MANILA, April 3 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines on Wednesday issued an evacuation advisory for coastal areas in northern Luzon after a powerful earthquake in China's Taiwan triggered a tsunami warning.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that coastal areas fronting the Pacific Ocean are expected to experience "high" tsunami waves between 8:33 a.m. and 10:33 a.m. local time.

"These waves may continue for hours," the institute warned, adding people in coastal areas of the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Isabela "are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or farther inland."

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.