Powerful 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Southern Philippines Near Davao; Tsunami Alerts Trigger Evacuations
By Admin News Desk | October 10, 2025
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck off the southeastern coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines early Friday morning, sending residents fleeing to higher ground amid urgent tsunami warnings. The quake, initially reported at 7.6 magnitude, hit at approximately 9:43 a.m. local time, centered about 38 miles southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province, roughly 77 miles from the major city of Davao.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) revised the magnitude downward from an initial 7.6 to 7.5, with the epicenter located offshore at coordinates 7.25°N, 126.93°E and a depth of 20 kilometers. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre pegged it at 7.4 with a deeper 58-kilometer reading, while other agencies noted a shallow depth of around 6-10 kilometers, amplifying the potential for widespread shaking.
Tsunami Threat Looms Over Coasts
In the immediate aftermath, PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning for seven coastal provinces in the central and southern Philippines—Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental—urging immediate evacuations to higher ground or inland areas. Officials warned of destructive waves exceeding 1 meter above normal tides, potentially higher in bays and straits, with life-threatening conditions expected within hours.
The alert extended regionally, with the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center forecasting waves of 1 to 3 meters along Philippine coasts and up to 1 meter in parts of Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and Papua regions, as well as Palau. Indonesia’s geophysics agency echoed the warning for its northern coasts. As of midday, no major tsunami waves had been confirmed, but authorities reported ongoing monitoring and advised against returning to low-lying areas.
Shaking Felt Across Mindanao; Early Damage Reports
The quake was felt strongly across Mindanao, including in Davao City, where panicked residents poured into streets and open spaces. Davao Oriental Governor Edwin Jubahib described the event to local broadcaster DZMM as “very strong,” with reports of damaged buildings and widespread alarm. Multiple aftershocks followed swiftly, including a 5.9-magnitude tremor and a 6.0-magnitude one within the first half-hour, heightening fears of further instability.
No confirmed casualties have been reported yet, but PHIVOLCS cautioned of expected damage and additional aftershocks from the fault movement. The agency, which tracks over 800 quakes annually in the seismically active archipelago, emphasized preparedness in the Ring of Fire zone.
Government Response and Historical Echoes
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. swiftly addressed the nation, stating that authorities were conducting rapid assessments and preparing to deploy search-and-rescue teams once conditions allowed. “We are on round-the-clock alert to provide all necessary help,” he said, underscoring the government’s commitment amid the archipelago’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
This event comes just two weeks after the Philippines’ deadliest quake in over a decade—a 6.9-magnitude offshore tremor near Cebu island that claimed 72 lives and injured hundreds. That disaster highlighted ongoing challenges in disaster response and infrastructure resilience in the earthquake-prone nation.
Looking Ahead: Monitoring and Recovery
As evacuations continue and teams survey potential damage, experts urge vigilance against aftershocks and secondary hazards like landslides in the rugged terrain. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has indicated no broader regional threat beyond the immediate vicinity, but coastal communities remain on high alert.
Updates are expected as more data emerges from the ground. For real-time information, residents are directed to PHIVOLCS and local emergency services. The Philippines, no stranger to such fury from the earth, demonstrates once again the critical need for robust early-warning systems and community readiness.
