DAVAO CITY. A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the southern Philippines on Saturday night, triggering widespread panic and prompting a tsunami warning that later led to thousands evacuating their homes. The earthquake, centered at a depth of 32 kilometers (20 miles), left at least one dead and several injured, as reported by officials on Sunday.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake and issued a tsunami warning for the southern Philippines, parts of Indonesia, Palau, and Malaysia. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later lifted the warning, reassuring residents in the affected areas.
On Sunday, a 6.6 magnitude aftershock was recorded east of the municipality of Hinuatan, with a depth of 56 kilometers (34 miles), according to the USGS. The Philippine seismological agency classified it as an aftershock, and no tsunami alert was issued.
In the aftermath, evacuation orders were issued in various parts of Okinawa prefecture in Japan, affecting thousands of residents along the coastal areas. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a tragic incident unfolded in Tagum city, Davao del Norte province, where a pregnant woman lost her life as a 15-feet concrete wall collapsed on her, her husband, and daughter.
Shieldon Isidoro, the city’s disaster-mitigation chief, described the chaotic scene: “Initially the swaying was weak. Then it quickly became stronger and I could hardly stand. My perfume bottles fell off a table, pictures on my wall swung, and I heard people screaming outside: ‘Get out, get out, earthquake, earthquake!’”
Despite the panic and chaos, Isidoro credited regular earthquake drills for potentially preventing more casualties. However, reports indicated injuries to the woman’s husband and daughter.
Authorities in the Philippines, led by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr, are assessing the overall impact of the earthquake. Preliminary reports suggest no major damages except for two bridges and isolated power outages. Hundreds of patients were temporarily evacuated from a Tagum hospital, which was later deemed safe after inspection.
Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, urged residents along the coast of Surigao del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland. Pictures posted on social media showed residents in Hinatuan town fleeing to higher ground using various means of transportation.
As the affected communities recover from the shock, civil aviation officials reported no major damage in several southern airports, and flight operations remained unaffected. The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” continues to grapple with the challenges posed by its frequent exposure to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons, emphasizing the nation’s resilience in the face of natural disasters.
(with inputs from agencies)
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
