Philippines hit by twin quakes; seven dead, tsunami warning issued

A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, killing at least six people. A second strong aftershock measuring 6.9 later that day resulted in at least one additional death and triggered tsunami warnings across the region, reports 24brussels.

The initial quake occurred at 9:43 AM local time (01:43 GMT) and originated at a depth of 43 kilometers (27 miles) beneath the ocean, near Manay town in Davao Oriental in the Mindanao region. This seismic event followed closely on the heels of another deadly earthquake that struck just ten days earlier, which resulted in 79 fatalities and left hundreds injured.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) confirmed the quake was triggered by tectonic movement along the Philippine Trench, an underwater fault to the east of the country. Phivolcs promptly issued a tsunami warning, forecasting waves exceeding one meter (approximately 3.3 feet) for coastal areas nearby. They urged local residents to seek higher ground or move inland to mitigate risks associated with the potential tsunami.

The widespread tremors unsettled the region, prompting warnings of possible aftershocks. As evening approached, a second earthquake registering magnitude 6.9 struck Manay town, intensifying concerns. Tsunami alerts extended to parts of Indonesia and Palau, with the United States National Tsunami Warning Center predicting waves between 0.3 and 1 meter (1-3.3 feet) in these areas.

In Indonesia, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency reported small tsunami waves in North Sulawesi, measuring between 3.5 and 17 centimeters (1.3 to 6.7 inches) in various districts. However, it eventually lifted the tsunami warning for those areas.

Phivolcs released a new tsunami warning around 7 PM (11:00 AM GMT) after the second quake, forecasting possible waves that could exceed normal tide levels by more than a meter within two hours. Phivolcs chief Teresito Bacolcol characterized the second earthquake as a “doublet quake,” noting that while both events occurred in the same geographical vicinity, they had distinct strengths and epicentres.