Philippines Earthquake, On October 10, 2025, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental, shaking large parts of Mindanao and prompting tsunami warnings across the region. The quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. local time, with a depth of 23 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
The tremor was one of the strongest in recent years, causing panic as residents fled buildings, schools, and offices. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned of waves up to 3 meters, though the threat was lifted by midday.
Authorities issued tsunami alerts for:
Davao Oriental
Surigao del Sur
Dinagat Islands
Eastern Samar
Southern Leyte
Residents were urged to evacuate to higher ground, and boat owners were told to secure vessels away from shore. Indonesia and Palau also issued regional tsunami advisories.
Casualties and Damage
One person died after being struck by falling debris
Over 50 students were hospitalized due to fainting, dizziness, or minor injuries
Cracks appeared in buildings, roads, and bridges in Gov. Generoso and Davao City
Power outages affected multiple towns
Classes suspended in several provinces
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that search and rescue teams were on standby and relief operations were being prepared.
The quake was caused by movement along the Philippine Trench, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity. The Philippines experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually, but this one was particularly intense.
Experts emphasize:
The importance of early warning systems
Regular earthquake drills in schools and workplaces
Investment in earthquake-resilient infrastructure
The quake came just two weeks after a deadly 6.9 magnitude tremor in Cebu, which killed 74 people
