A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Davao Oriental province in the Mindanao region of the Philippines on Friday morning, officials confirmed. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake hit 62 kilometers east of Manay at a depth of 10 kilometers at 9:43 a.m. local time.
Initial readings from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) recorded the quake at 7.4 magnitude, later upgraded to 7.6 by Phivolcs. The agency warned that residents could face aftershocks and tsunami waves for several hours.
The US Tsunami Warning System alerted communities within 300 kilometers of the epicenter about hazardous waves. Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol urged coastal residents to stay away from the shore. Waves of up to one meter were expected along the Pacific coast within two hours.
Authorities ordered people in coastal zones to move to higher ground or evacuate inland immediately. So far, no major damage has been reported. The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences strong earthquakes and volcanic activity.
