MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday morning, causing significant damage to buildings, disrupting power supplies, and resulting in at least one fatality. The earthquake also prompted evacuations of coastal communities in anticipation of a potential tsunami.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that damage assessments were underway and that rescue teams would be prepared for deployment as soon as conditions were deemed safe. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the earthquake, which occurred at 9:43 a.m., was centered approximately 62 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province, at a depth of 23 kilometers (14 miles). The seismic event resulted from tectonic movements in the Philippine Trench.
In the aftermath of the quake, at least one individual was killed due to falling debris, as reported by Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV during a news briefing. Several buildings showcased structural damage, with noticeable cracks appearing in the walls of various structures, including the international airport in Davao City, which remained operational despite the tremors not canceling any flights.
Eyewitness Jun Saavedra, a disaster-mitigation officer in Gov. Generoso town, recounted the chaotic scene. “I was driving my car when it suddenly swayed, and I saw powerlines swaying wildly. People darted out of houses and buildings as the ground shook and electricity went out,” he told The Associated Press. He noted that this earthquake was the strongest he had experienced, mentioning the severe ground swaying had caused significant damage, including cracks in schools. At least 50 students from a high school in his town were transported to a hospital due to minor injuries and distress caused by the quake.
Authorities suspended classes at all levels in Gov. Generoso, which is located around 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Manay. In Davao City, home to about 5.4 million residents, children were evacuated from schools as a precaution.
Approximately two hours after the earthquake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu indicated that small tsunami waves had been detected along the coasts of the Philippines and Indonesia, but the threat passed quickly. The agency continued to urge coastal communities to remain vigilant, advising residents to evacuate to higher ground if necessary. Alejandro emphasized the caution, stating, “We urge these coastal communities to be on alert and immediately evacuate to higher grounds until further notice.”
Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported slight tsunami waves in North Sulawesi province, with heights ranging from 3.5 to 17 centimeters (1.3 to 6.7 inches) detected in several districts of the Talaud Islands. This incident follows a previous earthquake on September 30, which registered a magnitude of 6.9 and caused the deaths of at least 74 people while displacing thousands in the central province of Cebu, particularly in Bogo City.
The Philippines, located in a seismically active region known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country also faces significant challenges from approximately 20 typhoons and storms annually, necessitating robust disaster response efforts from both the government and volunteer organizations.
In a related seismic event on the same day, a preliminary magnitude 6.0 earthquake was recorded off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake's epicenter was located in the Bismarck Sea, approximately 414 kilometers (257 miles) northeast of Lae, the second-most populous city in Papua New Guinea. Fortunately, local officials reported no damages in the area.
