Manila [Philippines]: A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, killing at least six people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region. Later the same day, a 6.9-magnitude aftershock claimed at least one more life, according to local authorities and Al Jazeera.
Earthquake details and impact
The first quake hit at 9:43 AM local time (01:43 GMT) near Manay town in Davao Oriental, part of the Mindanao region, originating at a depth of 43 kilometres beneath the ocean. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed that the tremor was caused by movement along the Philippine Trench, a deep underwater fault east of the country.
In response, Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning, predicting waves higher than one metre (3.3 feet) for nearby coastal areas and urging residents to evacuate to higher ground or move inland.
The tremor was widely felt across the region, with authorities warning of possible aftershocks, adding to public anxiety.
Second earthquake and extended tsunami warnings
At around 7 PM local time (11:00 AM GMT), a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck near the same area. Phivolcs described this as a “doublet quake”, meaning both earthquakes occurred in the same region but had different epicentres and magnitudes.
Tsunami warnings were extended beyond the Philippines, covering parts of Indonesia and Palau. The US National Tsunami Warning Centre predicted waves between 0.3 and 1 metre (1–3.3 feet) in these regions. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency reported small tsunami waves in North Sulawesi, ranging from 3.5 to 17 centimetres, before lifting its warning.
Regional context
This seismic activity comes just 10 days after another deadly earthquake hit central Philippines, leaving 79 people dead and hundreds injured. Authorities are urging residents across Mindanao and neighbouring islands to remain vigilant as aftershocks and tsunami risks persist.