Powerful 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines, Tsunami Warnings Issued
A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocked waters off the southern Philippines on Friday morning, prompting tsunami warnings and calls for evacuations in coastal areas across the region.
The quake struck near Manay town, Davao Oriental, Mindanao, at a depth of about 20 km (12 miles), after officials revised the initial estimate of 7.6 downward. Phivolcs, the Philippine seismology agency, warned of possible damage and aftershocks.
Tsunami Alerts and Regional Threats
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System flagged potential waves for coastlines within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicenter. Authorities in the Philippines were urged to evacuate to higher ground, especially in coastal towns, as wave heights exceeding one meter above typical tide levels were forecast.
In the worst-case scenario, waves of 1 to 3 metres above tide levels could hit parts of the Philippines. Meanwhile, tsunami warnings also extended to Indonesia’s northern Sulawesi and Papua regions, as well as Palau, where some coasts might see up to 1 metre waves.
Response and Preparations
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government was assessing the scope of the disaster and that search and rescue teams would be dispatched when conditions allowed. “We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it,” he stated.
Meanwhile, local reports from Davao Oriental indicated panic and structural damage in some areas. Edwin Jubahib, the provincial governor, said, “Some buildings were reported to have been damaged … It was very strong.”
Contextual Background
This quake arrives just two weeks after a 6.9 magnitude quake struck near Cebu, resulting in 72 fatalities—the deadliest in the country in over a decade. The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an active seismic zone responsible for more than 800 earthquakes each year.
