A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southeastern coast of the Philippines on Friday morning, prompting tsunami warnings across the region.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake hit 123 kilometers east of Davao City, off the coast of Mindanao, at a depth of 58 kilometers, around 9:45 a.m. local time. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded the quake at 7.6 magnitude and warned that “a destructive tsunami with life-threatening waves” could strike coastal areas.
Massive 7.4 Earthquake Rocks Philippines
Authorities urged residents in six coastal provinces near Davao to move to higher ground. The US Tsunami Warning Center said waves of 1–3 meters could hit parts of the Philippines, while smaller waves could reach Indonesia and Palau.
Videos from Davao and nearby areas showed people running from buildings as the ground shook violently. Power outages and minor structural damage were reported in Davao Oriental, where officials said several buildings were affected. Patients at hospitals were moved to parking lots for safety.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said rescue and relief operations were underway.
“We are working round the clock to ensure help reaches everyone who needs it,” he said.
The Davao region has been placed on red alert, the highest disaster response level, ensuring full deployment of emergency agencies. Classes were suspended in several areas, and officials asked boat owners to secure their vessels and stay offshore until further notice.
Aftershocks ranging from magnitude 2.6 to 4.9 were recorded off the coast of Mindanao following the initial quake. The US Tsunami Warning Center later lifted the tsunami alert, though authorities advised residents to remain cautious.
This is the second major quake to hit the Philippines in two weeks. A 6.9 magnitude earthquake off Cebu earlier killed at least 72 people and injured hundreds. The country, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences strong earthquakes and volcanic activity.
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