A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Davao Region on Friday morning, with the epicenter located off Manay in Davao Oriental, sending residents across the region scrambling for safety.
The tremor was felt strongly in Davao City at around 9:43 a.m. with a magnitude of 6.2.
Authorities reported three fatalities, two in Davao Oriental and one in Davao City.
The fatality in Davao City was an 80-year-old man from Purok 3, Soliman, Barangay Tomas Monteverde, Davao City. He died after being struck by a collapsing concrete wall. The victim, who was seated near a partially demolished structure, was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) but was declared dead on arrival.
Several injured individuals were also brought to hospitals in Davao City and some towns in Davao Oriental following the quake.
The city government of Davao has since suspended all government work to ensure the safety of employees and allow building inspections to proceed.
In Davao Oriental, authorities placed the province under heightened alert and issued a tsunami warning shortly after the tremor.
Residents in coastal and low-lying areas, including parts of Mati City, were evacuated to the Provincial Capitol grounds and other designated safe zones after witnesses observed the sea water receding just minutes after the quake.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang ordered the immediate deployment of response teams and assistance for evacuees, while a damage assessment survey is now underway.
Under Executive Order No. 67, all classes and government work across Davao Oriental remain suspended until further notice.
At 2 p.m. the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has lifted the tsunami warning easing concerns for communities along the country’s eastern seaboard facing the Pacific Ocean.
The advisory had earlier covered the coastal areas of Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar.
Phivolcs reported that its Tandag, Surigao del Sur monitoring station detected a 30-centimeter tsunami wave at 10:30 a.m. following the quake.
By 1:50 p.m., the agency had recorded at least 240 aftershocks across the affected areas.
The Philippine Army, Philippine National Police (PNP), Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), and other government agencies continue to monitor and respond to the situation as aftershocks are expected.
Several structures were also reportedly sustained minor and major damage not only in Davao Region but also in other parts of Mindanao and Visayas.
As of press time, authorities urge residents to remain on alert, stay away from coastal areas, and follow official advisories from Phivolcs and local disaster officials.
