Ankara: More than 66,000 families were affected by two strong earthquakes that struck the southern Philippines hours apart on Friday, said officials and local media.

According to Anadolu Agency, Nelson Dayanghirang, the governor of Davao Oriental, reported that some 100 houses were destroyed while around 500 others were partially damaged. The government in Davao Oriental, the country's worst-hit region, declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council stated that hundreds of people evacuated to safer areas after their homes sustained damage. At least eight people were reported killed as a result of the earthquakes.

A second strong earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.7, struck off the southern Mindanao region just hours after a 7.4 magnitude quake hit the same location. This triggered a tsunami warning, which was later cancelled, prompting coastal evacuations.

There has yet to be a complete estimate of the damage to infrastructure and agriculture. Over 800 aftershocks were recorded as of Saturday, as another magnitude 5.8 earthquake jolted waters off Davao Oriental.