A severe offshore earthquake rocked the southern Philippines on Friday, prompting tsunami warnings, evacuations, and widespread alarm across the region. Authorities reported the quake at a magnitude of 7.5, revising it slightly from earlier estimates.

The tremor struck off the coast of Manay, a town in Davao Oriental, in the Mindanao region. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the quake occurred at a shallow depth initially listed at 10 km but later reported as 20 km. International agencies, such as the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), measured the magnitude at 7.4 with a deeper origin of 58 km.

Quake Sparks Panic in Hospital and Offices

The earthquake caused buildings to shake violently, sending residents scrambling for safety. Online videos captured the fear and chaos, one from a hospital in Tagum City showed both staff and patients fleeing the building as it trembled. Another clip, filmed in an office, revealed flickering lights, boxes crashing from tables, and employees diving under desks for protection.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) pinpointed the epicenter roughly 20 kilometers east of Santiago, a small town of around 2,600 people. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System cautioned that potentially dangerous waves could impact areas within a 300-kilometer radius of the epicenter.

In the immediate aftermath, PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning and urged people in central and southern coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground or move inland. It warned of possible waves exceeding one meter above normal tide levels. As a result, panic spread in coastal towns, with residents rushing to safety.

Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Oriental confirmed that the quake caused alarm among locals. “Some buildings were reported to have been damaged,” he told the media. “It was very strong.”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), based in Honolulu, initially warned that waves up to 3 meters could reach parts of the Philippine coastline, while smaller waves could hit Indonesia and Palau. Later, the PTWC lifted the alert, stating, “There is no longer a tsunami threat from this earthquake.”

Indonesia’s geophysics agency also issued a warning, forecasting waves as high as 50 centimeters along the northern coastlines of Sulawesi and Papua.

In response to the quake, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the nation, saying, “We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it.” He confirmed that search and rescue teams would be deployed once it was deemed safe to do so.

The powerful quake comes shortly after the country experienced its deadliest earthquake in over a decade. Just two weeks ago, a magnitude 6.9 quake struck offshore near Cebu, claiming 72 lives. That incident remains fresh in the minds of many residents, heightening the fear surrounding Friday’s tremor.

4.4 Quake Hits La Union, Triggers Baguio Class Suspensions

Adding to a tense week, a separate magnitude 4.4 quake struck La Union province in northern Luzon on October 9, leading to class suspensions in Baguio City. That tremor, though less severe, caused evacuations and mild shaking across several provinces, including Benguet and Pangasinan.

Following Friday’s quake, PHIVOLCS warned of aftershocks and advised people to remain alert. Residents in open spaces and roadsides were seen staying in temporary shelters, while authorities assessed potential structural damage in affected areas.

As of now, there have been no confirmed fatalities, though officials continue to monitor the situation. Communication in some remote locations remains limited, and full assessments are ongoing.

The Philippines is no stranger to such events, as it sits within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. Experts continue to remind the public of the importance of earthquake preparedness, especially in regions located near active fault lines.