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A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, prompting tsunami warnings from both Philippine and Indonesian authorities.
Officials urged residents in coastal areas of central and southern Philippines to evacuate, warning of waves exceeding one metre (3.3ft) above normal tide levels.
At least one person died as a result of the tremor, which also caused power outages and led to the suspension of classes in several regions.
The quake comes barely a week after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake devastated Cebu province in central Philippines, killing 74 people and injuring hundreds.
Local media footage showed overhead cables swaying violently as traffic halted during the quake. In Davao City, near the epicentre, reporters described chaotic scenes outside hospitals, where patients were treated in car parks and corridors filled with anxious crowds.
Davao Oriental governor Edwin Jubahib said his province experienced intense shaking. “Some buildings were reported damaged,” he told broadcaster DZMM. “It was very strong.”
Richie Diuyen, an employee of the local disaster agency in Manay, said some students fainted during the quake. “I am still scared and shaken,” she told the BBC. “We couldn’t believe how powerful it was—this was the first time I’ve experienced anything like it.”
The Philippines lies on the volatile Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons.
“Filipinos are now suffering from disaster fatigue due to repeated typhoons, volcanic activity, and earthquakes,” said Dr Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
He urged citizens to “accept our reality” and prepare rather than panic. “Now and then, we will be jolted by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis,” he said.
The earlier Cebu earthquake on October 4 was one of the deadliest in recent years, displacing more than 80,000 people. Just last month, a super typhoon swept through northern Philippines, killing 11.
Following Friday’s quake, Philippine authorities initially warned of “destructive” and “life-threatening” tsunami waves, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii later confirmed the threat had subsided.
However, Phivolcs reported a series of aftershocks in Mindanao, ranging between 2.6 and 4.9 in magnitude, hours after the initial quake.
In neighbouring Indonesia, “minor tsunamis” were recorded, the highest reaching 17 centimetres on the Talaud Islands in North Sulawesi.
Students on the islands, near the Philippine border, were sent home as a precaution, though local officials said the situation remained calm. Indonesian authorities advised residents to “stay calm” and avoid damaged buildings.
