Manila: A powerful undersea earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the coast of Mindanao on Friday night, triggering tsunami warnings and sparking urgent evacuations along vulnerable coastal communities.
The tremor, which was recorded near the town of Manay in Davao Oriental province, occurred at approximately 10 km (6 miles) below the surface, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Authorities have warned of the potential for “life-threatening” tsunami waves, especially in regions within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System echoed the alert, stating that significant wave activity could threaten both central and southern coastal areas.
Phivolcs urged residents in low-lying coastal areas to immediately head for higher ground or move further inland. “Tsunami waves could exceed one meter above regular tide levels and may arrive within the next couple of hours,” the agency said in a statement.
Although no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage have surfaced, officials caution that further assessments are ongoing and that aftershocks should be expected in the coming hours and days.
The quake’s depth has been reported differently by monitoring agencies, with Phivolcs placing it at 10 km, while the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) estimated it to be deeper, at 62 km (38.5 miles).
Friday’s earthquake follows a deadly 6.9-magnitude quake just a week earlier in Cebu province, which claimed at least 74 lives and damaged historic landmarks, including the centuries-old Parish of Saint Peter the Apostle in Bantayan.
Emergency responders and local authorities are currently monitoring the situation closely. Evacuation centers have been activated, and public advisories continue to be issued across broadcast, social, and mobile networks to guide residents through the emergency.
The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismic hotbed where tectonic plates collide, making the country particularly prone to frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant and heed official warnings as response efforts continue.
