Mindanao, Philippines: A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Mindanao region on Friday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GZF) reported. This quake follows a 7.5 magnitude tremor that jolted the area just over a week ago, highlighting ongoing seismic activity in the Southeast Asian nation.
Damage and Disruptions
- Several school buildings and a hospital sustained damage.
- Power supply was disrupted across affected areas.
- Authorities issued a tsunami warning which later was lifted. Coastal areas were evacuated as a precaution.
The previous 7.5 magnitude earthquake, recorded at a depth of 62 km (38.53 miles) by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), had also prompted large-scale evacuations.
Evacuations in Davao City
Davao City, home to about 5.4 million people and the largest city near the epicenter, saw mass school evacuations. Officials had warned of a “destructive tsunami” with life-threatening wave heights, urging residents to move to safer locations immediately.
The recent quakes underscore Mindanao’s vulnerability to seismic hazards, with repeated tremors affecting infrastructure, schools, and hospitals while keeping local communities on high alert.