Latest news Another earthquake in the Philippines - tsunami warning
A series of earthquakes is shaking the south of the Philippines: At least four people have died in a first severe earthquake of magnitude 7.4 in the island state. The victims all died in the southern province of Davao Oriental, where the quake struck in the morning (local time), according to the civil defense and police.
10.10.2025, 05:41
10.10.2025, 18:32
SDA
Just a few hours later, another quake with a magnitude of 6.9 shook the same region, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The magnitude of this second earthquake or the number of victims was initially unknown. Phivolcs again warned of tsunami waves, but later lifted the warning. Residents of coastal communities in the provinces of Surigao Del Sur, Davao Orienta and Surigao Del Norte had previously been asked to move to higher ground immediately.
Just over a week ago, a strong earthquake shook the island state and killed dozens of people.
According to the US earthquake observatory USGS, the center of the first quake with a magnitude of 7.4 was located at a relatively shallow depth of around 58 kilometers on the island of Mindanao. (Phivolcs) initially put the magnitude of the quake at 7.6, but later revised this to 7.4. Phivolcs also issued a tsunami warning for seven provinces, which was later lifted.
Fears of damage and aftershocks
Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said on the radio that damage and aftershocks were to be expected. Power was cut in many affected areas. In the small town of Manay, buildings were damaged, including a church - but the exact extent of the damage is still unclear, said Ednar Dayanghirang from the local civil defense, who was in Davao City at the time of the quake. "It was very strong, people were panicking and running out of the buildings." Dayanghirang explained on the radio that one of the fatalities had been hit by a falling concrete wall.
Videos on social networks showed ceilings collapsing and furniture tipping over in houses. In some buildings, glass windows and doors shattered. One video showed screaming and panicked students as wooden panels fell from the ceiling of their classroom in Davao City. According to authorities, some students fainted and suffered minor bruises. The authenticity of the footage could not initially be confirmed.
"The quake was so strong that it was difficult to stand upright. We kept falling as we evacuated our hotel room," an eyewitness told a local radio station. A civil protection worker emphasized: "This is probably the strongest quake I have ever experienced."
Dozens dead in latest quake
It was only at the end of September that a magnitude 6.9 quake struck the central province of Cebu, some 515 kilometers away. At least 74 people lost their lives and around 550 others were injured. There were thousands of aftershocks.
The Philippines lie on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a volcanic belt that surrounds the Pacific Ocean on three sides. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently in the world's most geologically active zone.
