Two powerful offshore earthquakes struck the southern Philippines hours apart yesterday, killing at least seven people, triggering landslides, and prompting brief tsunami warnings and coastal evacuations.
The first quake, a magnitude 7.4, hit in the morning at around 43 kilometers east of Manay town in Davao Oriental at a depth of 23 km. It caused widespread panic and structural damage, with two hospital patients reportedly dying of heart attacks and another victim killed by falling debris in Mati City.
The second quake with magnitude 6.8 struck the same area in the night, originating from the same fault line, the Philippine Trench at a depth of 37 km.
Experts described it as a doublet quake, with different epicenters but occurring in the same region. Authorities fear the second tremor may have further compromised already weakened structures.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said rescue and relief teams are being mobilised and damage assessments are underway. The twin quakes follow a string of recent natural disasters in the country, adding pressure to emergency response efforts.
Another powerful earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude struck the remote Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica yesterday. No damage or casualties were reported due to the quake’s isolated location. Authorities are monitoring for potential tsunamis and aftershocks.
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