7.6-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Southern Philippines, Tsunami Warnings Issued

An offshore earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 struck near the southern Philippine province of Davao Oriental on Friday morning, leading officials to order evacuations in coastal regions due to potential tsunami threats. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the quake occurred at 9:43 a.m., approximately 62 kilometers southeast of Manay town, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. The agency anticipates damage and aftershocks in the affected areas.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that assessments of potential damage are underway, and that rescue teams and relief operations are being prepared for deployment once conditions are deemed safe.

In Davao City, the largest city near the epicenter with a population of about 5.4 million, children were evacuated from schools as a precautionary measure. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu indicated that hazardous waves up to 3 meters above normal tides could impact some Philippine coasts, with smaller waves possible in Indonesia and Palau.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, warned that tsunami waves could reach six nearby coastal provinces within two hours of the earthquake. He urged residents to move to higher ground or further inland immediately.

"We urge these coastal communities to be on alert and immediately evacuate to higher grounds until further notice," Alejandro said in a video news briefing.

"Owners of boats in harbors and those in the coastal areas...should secure their boats and move away from the waterfronts," he added.

Indonesian authorities issued a tsunami warning for northeastern regions of Papua and North Sulawesi, advising residents to stay away from beaches and riverbanks.

This event follows a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on September 30, 2025, which resulted in at least 74 fatalities and displaced thousands in Cebu province, particularly in Bogo City and surrounding towns. The Philippines, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is frequently affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its position along seismic fault lines.