A strong earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines early Friday, causing damage to buildings and power outages. Sadly, at least one person has died. Officials are concerned about the possibility of a tsunami and are urging people in coastal areas to move to higher ground.
President Marcos Jr. stated that the government is working to assess the damage. Rescue teams and aid are being prepared to help those affected as soon as it is safe.
The earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.4, was centered in the sea near Manay town in Davao Oriental province. Experts say the quake was caused by movement in the Philippine Trench.
Initial reports indicate that a person died after being struck by falling debris. Several buildings have suffered cracks, including the Davao city airport, but the airport remains open.
Jun Saavedra, a disaster official in Gov. Generoso town, described the intense shaking. He noted that past earthquakes haven’t been this strong. Many students in his town were taken to the hospital with injuries after the shaking.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported small waves along the coasts of the Philippines and Indonesia. Coastal communities were warned to be alert for possible tsunami waves for several hours after the earthquake.
The Philippines is still recovering from a previous earthquake in September. The country is located in an area prone to earthquakes and typhoons, which presents ongoing challenges for the government and its people.
