Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines, Causing Fatalities and Damage

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of southern Philippines early Friday, resulting in at least two fatalities and significant structural damage. The quake's epicenter was located approximately 43 kilometers east of Manay in Davao Oriental province, at a depth of 23 kilometers in the Philippine Trench.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued tsunami warnings, prompting evacuations in six coastal provinces. These warnings were later lifted after only minor wave fluctuations were recorded.

In Mati City, Davao Oriental province, two individuals were reported dead due to collapsed homes. Approximately 250 patients were evacuated from a damaged hospital and relocated to temporary shelters. Several buildings, including an airport in Davao City and a high school in Gov. Generoso town, sustained damage such as wall cracks. About 50 students were hospitalized with minor injuries.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that search-and-rescue efforts would commence once conditions were deemed safe.

This earthquake follows a deadly 6.9-magnitude quake in Cebu province just days earlier, which resulted in at least 74 fatalities. The Philippines, situated on the seismically active Pacific "Ring of Fire," frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity.