7.6-Magnitude Earthquake Off Southern Philippines Causes Damage and Evacuations

Kokcha News Agency – The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has confirmed that the tsunami threat from Friday’s earthquake off the southern Philippines has passed. Small waves were recorded on the coasts of Indonesia and the Philippines, with the highest reaching 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) above tide level in North Sulawesi province, Indonesia.

The tsunami center in Honolulu stated that while the threat ended approximately two hours after the quake, minor sea fluctuations may continue.

Damage assessments from the earthquake are still ongoing.

Breaking News Update:
MANILA, Philippines (AP) – An offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck off a southern Philippine province on Friday morning, causing panic as people fled homes and buildings, power outages, and prompting officials to order coastal evacuations in nearby provinces due to a potential tsunami.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that potential damage is being assessed, and rescue teams and relief operations are being prepared for deployment when it is safe to do so.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of possible damage and aftershocks from the earthquake, which was centered at sea about 62 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province. The quake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) due to movement along a fault line.

Jun Saavedra, a disaster-mitigation officer in Governor Generoso town, Davao Oriental, told The Associated Press, “I was driving my car when it suddenly swayed, and I saw power lines swaying wildly. People darted out of houses and buildings as the ground shook, and electricity went out.”

Saavedra added, “We’ve had earthquakes in the past, but this was the strongest,” noting that the intense ground shaking caused cracks in several buildings, including schools.

At least 50 high school students in his town were taken to a hospital by ambulance after fainting or feeling dizzy due to the earthquake.

Governor Generoso, located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of Manay, suspended classes at all levels.

In Davao City, the largest city near the epicenter with a population of about 5.4 million, children were evacuated from schools. The city is approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) west of Davao Oriental province.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu cautioned that hazardous waves were possible within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter. Waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) above normal tide levels were possible on some Philippine coasts, with smaller waves expected in Indonesia and Palau.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, warned that tsunami waves could hit six nearby coastal provinces within two hours of the earthquake, which struck at 9:43 a.m. He urged residents to move to higher ground or further inland immediately.

“We urge these coastal communities to be on alert and evacuate to higher grounds until further notice,” Alejandro said in a video news briefing.

He also advised boat owners in harbors and coastal areas to secure their vessels and move away from waterfronts.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported small tsunami waves in North Sulawesi province, ranging from 3.5 to 17 centimeters (1.3 to 6.7 inches) in height. Residents were advised to stay away from beaches and riverbanks.

The Philippines is still recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, which killed at least 74 people and displaced thousands in the central province of Cebu, particularly in Bogo City and surrounding towns.

As one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the ocean.

The archipelago is also hit by about 20 typhoons and storms annually, making disaster response a critical task for the government and volunteer groups.