Manila (TDI): A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines early Friday, prompting tsunami warnings across several countries and forcing coastal residents to flee to higher ground.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the quake’s epicenter was located in the waters off Manay town, Davao Oriental, in the Mindanao region. The agency initially recorded the magnitude at 7.6 before revising it to 7.5, with the tremor occurring at a depth of about 20 kilometers (12 miles).
Phivolcs warned of possible aftershocks and damage from the strong quake, urging residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately. “Wave heights of more than one meter above normal tides may occur,” the agency said.
The US Tsunami Warning System also issued an alert, warning that hazardous waves could impact coastal areas within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said authorities were monitoring the situation closely and preparing emergency response teams. “We are working around the clock to ensure help reaches everyone who needs it,” he said in a statement.
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Local officials reported that the quake caused panic in several towns. “It was very strong, some buildings were reported to have been damaged,” Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Oriental said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said waves between 1 and 3 meters above normal tide levels could reach parts of the Philippines, while smaller surges were expected in Indonesia and Palau, where tsunami warnings were also issued for northern Sulawesi and Papua.
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Friday’s quake comes just two weeks after the Philippines suffered its deadliest earthquake in more than a decade, a 6.9-magnitude tremor on Cebu island that killed 72 people.
The Philippines lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a seismically active zone where around 800 earthquakes are recorded each year.
