Devastating Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines: 2 Lives Lost, Widespread Damage, and Urgent Tsunami Evacuations

A strong 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippines early Friday morning. Tragically, this quake has already caused the death of at least two people, damaged various buildings, and led to power outages across the region. In response, authorities evacuated coastal areas due to a tsunami warning that was later lifted.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is closely monitoring the situation. He assured the public that rescue teams are ready to act as soon as it’s safe. The earthquake’s epicenter was about 43 kilometers off the coast of Manay in Davao Oriental province and struck at a depth of 23 kilometers. Aftershocks are expected, and officials are assessing the damage.

The impact was serious. Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Sr. confirmed that two individuals died when their homes collapsed. Additionally, 250 patients from a damaged hospital were moved to temporary shelters. Local officials reported cracks in various buildings, including the international airport in Davao City, which is operational for now.

Jun Saavedra, an officer with local disaster response, described the chaos. He noted how people rushed out of their homes as buildings swayed, describing it as the strongest quake he has experienced in the area. Some students were taken to hospitals after experiencing dizziness and fainting spells.

In Davao City, which is home to about 5.4 million people, schools were evacuated as a precaution. Children were seen leaving their schools with concerned parents. While small tsunami waves were briefly detected, local authorities confirmed there were no major sea threats following the earthquake.

This earthquake comes shortly after a 6.9-magnitude quake on September 30 in Cebu, which left at least 74 people dead. The Philippines is no stranger to natural disasters, facing about 20 typhoons each year, which makes disaster preparedness essential.

Interestingly, a recent study by the United Nations indicates that countries prone to earthquakes like the Philippines are investing more in preparedness and response strategies. This shift comes as communities recognize the growing impact of climate change on disaster frequency and intensity.

As the nation grapples with these challenges, stories from local residents are emerging on social media, capturing the community’s resilience amid adversity. If you want to learn more about the impact of earthquakes and government response strategies in the Philippines, check out reports from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.



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Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Natural disasters, Earthquakes, General news, Evacuations, Tsunamis, Philippines, Asia Pacific, AP Top News, World news, Nelson Dayanghirang Sr., Mary Jane Huafilong, Science, Indonesia, Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV