A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday evening, triggering tsunami warnings across several provinces. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the quake’s epicenter was located off the coast of Mindanao, and issued an alert for possible “life-threatening tsunami waves” that could impact coastal communities within minutes.
According to early reports, strong tremors were felt in Davao Oriental, Surigao del Sur, and General Santos City, with residents rushing out of homes and buildings in panic. Power outages and communication disruptions were reported in some areas.
PHIVOLCS urged residents in coastal regions to immediately move to higher ground, warning that waves as high as three meters could reach nearby shores. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) also confirmed that tsunami waves were possible along coastlines of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia.
The Philippine Coast Guard has ordered all vessels to remain in port until further notice, while local disaster response teams have been mobilized. Schools and offices in affected regions are expected to suspend operations until the threat is fully cleared.
Authorities are assessing potential damage to infrastructure, including bridges, ports, and hospitals. There are no immediate reports of casualties, but officials caution that the situation remains fluid and further aftershocks are expected.
The Philippines, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences seismic activity, with several destructive earthquakes recorded in recent decades.
Residents have been advised to stay alert and follow official updates from PHIVOLCS and local authorities as monitoring continues overnight.
