Philippines: Deadly 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Mindanao
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Friday.
The tremor, reported by Reuters, occurred off the coast of the Manay municipality in Davao Oriental province, part of the Mindanao region, at a depth of approximately 23km (14 miles). It was reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Authorities initially issued a tsunami alert for several countries, including Indonesia and Palau, urging coastal residents to move inland or to higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) later announced the threat to the Philippines had passed, though warnings for other countries briefly remained in effect.
At least one person died, according to local authorities, with significant damage reported near the epicentre. This included damaged homes and buildings, cracked roads, and impassable bridges.
Images posted on social media from Davao City showed employees taking shelter under desks, overturned furniture, and people evacuating onto the street. In the town of Mati, authorities announced the suspension of classes and the inspection of affected school buildings.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the government was monitoring the situation and preparing search and rescue teams to intervene as soon as conditions allow. "We are working non-stop to ensure that aid reaches everyone who needs it," he added.
The earthquake is one of the strongest recorded in the Philippines in recent years. The country is situated on the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," a zone of intense seismic activity where more than 800 earthquakes are registered annually. The tremor comes just two weeks after a devastating 6.9-magnitude quake that killed 74 people on Cebu Island.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
