Powerful 7.5 quake hits Philippines, kills two, evacuations underway
Authorities urged coastal residents to evacuate immediately after the powerful quake, warning of possible tsunami waves. Families rushed to higher ground, carrying essentials and helping neighbors to safety.
Manila: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck the southern Philippines late Friday night, killing at least two people and triggering widespread panic across the Mindanao region. The tremors, which originated off the coast of Davao Oriental, caused significant damage to several buildings, schools, and a hospital, while power outages swept through multiple provinces.
For a few tense hours, the country was gripped by fear as tsunami warnings blared across coastal towns. Authorities rushed to evacuate thousands of residents living near the shoreline, urging them to move to higher ground immediately. Families packed essentials into bags, clutching their children and elderly relatives as they fled in the dark, unsure of what would come next.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially recorded the quake at magnitude 7.6 before revising it slightly downward to 7.5. The tremor struck at around 10:35 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located in waters off Manay town in Davao Oriental. Phivolcs later reported that the quake had a depth of about 20 kilometers (12 miles), making it relatively shallow and therefore capable of causing more intense surface shaking.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake’s depth was measured at 62 kilometers (38.5 miles), though local data suggested a shallower impact zone. Regardless of the technical variance, the shaking was strong enough to send people running out of their homes, many still barefoot, as walls cracked and ceilings swayed.
In some parts of Mindanao, particularly in Davao Oriental and neighboring Surigao del Sur, residents reported hearing a low, roaring sound moments before the tremors began. Videos shared on social media showed swaying power lines, fallen debris, and frightened residents huddled outside under the night sky.
Authorities confirmed that two people were killed — one after being struck by falling debris and another due to a structural collapse. Several others were injured, though officials said they were still assessing the full extent of the damage.
“People were terrified. Some were crying, others praying aloud. It felt like the ground was rolling,” said Maria Santos, a schoolteacher from Mati City, describing how the quake lasted for nearly a minute. “We ran out of the house with whatever we could carry. The lights went out, and all we could hear were dogs barking and people shouting.”
The earthquake prompted immediate tsunami alerts along the eastern coastline. Phivolcs issued a warning for communities in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Surigao del Sur, advising residents to evacuate to higher areas due to the possibility of large waves.
“Based on the local tsunami scenario database, wave heights of more than one meter above normal tides are possible,” Phivolcs said in a statement. “These could be higher in enclosed bays and straits.”
Local authorities quickly activated disaster response protocols, with police and military personnel assisting in evacuations. Sirens wailed across several coastal towns as residents moved inland, while emergency shelters were opened in schools and municipal halls. In Davao Oriental, the provincial disaster office said around 5,000 families were relocated within the first hour after the quake.
Fortunately, the tsunami alert was lifted a few hours later after monitoring stations reported no significant sea-level changes. Still, the fear lingered. Many evacuees chose to remain on higher ground until daylight, fearing aftershocks.
And aftershocks did come — dozens of them. Phivolcs recorded at least 50 smaller quakes in the hours following the main tremor, some strong enough to rattle already-damaged structures. Officials urged residents to stay cautious and avoid returning to unsafe buildings.
Power outages were reported across Davao Oriental, Agusan del Sur, and parts of North Cotabato. Crews were dispatched overnight to restore electricity and inspect damaged transmission lines. In Mati City, a hospital sustained structural cracks, prompting staff to move patients to temporary tents outside as a precaution.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was briefed on the situation early Saturday and directed government agencies to coordinate relief efforts. In a statement, he extended condolences to the victims and assured that “all necessary assistance” would be provided to affected families.
“We are closely monitoring developments and coordinating with local authorities to assess the damage and deliver support where it’s needed most.”
By morning, images from the quake-hit areas showed cracked roads, damaged classrooms, and residents cleaning up debris. Despite the destruction, there was also resilience — neighbors helping one another, volunteers distributing food and water, and rescuers working through the night to ensure no one was left trapped.
Experts said Friday’s quake was among the most powerful to hit the Philippines in recent years. Located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the archipelago is one of the most seismically active regions in the world, experiencing hundreds of earthquakes each year, though only a few cause major damage.
Seismologists warned that aftershocks could continue for days or even weeks. “People should remain alert and cautious,” Phivolcs said, advising residents to inspect homes for structural damage before returning indoors.
For now, as Mindanao wakes up to another day, the priority is recovery and reassurance. The tremor may have shaken buildings and hearts, but in the spirit of the Filipino people, it has also rekindled courage — and the determination to rebuild once again.