A potent earthquake that rattled the southern Philippines has claimed
A formidable earthquake that rattled the southern Philippines has claimed at least one life, prompting evacuations in Japan as tsunami warnings were issued and later lifted. The potent magnitude 7.6 quake struck off the coast of Mindanao island at a depth of 32km (20 miles) and unleashed four significant aftershocks exceeding magnitudes of 6.0 over several hours into Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey. The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre, however, reported the quake's magnitude as 7.5.
The initial tremor, striking at 10:37 pm (14:37 GMT), triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific region, compelling residents along the east coast of Mindanao to evacuate buildings, abandon a hospital, and seek higher ground. In Japan, evacuation orders were issued late on Saturday in various parts of Okinawa prefecture, affecting thousands of individuals and the entire coastal area.
Tragically, a pregnant woman lost her life when a 4.5-meter (15-feet) concrete wall collapsed in their neighborhood in Tagum city, Davao del Norte province. The quake prompted the family to flee their house, resulting in injuries to her husband and daughter. The city's disaster-mitigation chief, Shieldon Isidoro, described the harrowing experience as the ground shook, causing swaying that quickly intensified.
While initial tsunami warnings suggested waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) along some Philippine coastlines, subsequent assessments by the US Tsunami Warning System ruled out any significant tsunami risk. Japanese broadcaster NHK anticipated waves up to 1 meter (3.2 feet) reaching Japan's southwest coast by 1:30 am on Sunday (16:30 GMT on Saturday). The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) forecasted minimal damage from the quake itself but cautioned about potential aftershocks.
Despite power outages in the coastal city of Hinatuan near the quake's epicenter, authorities reported no major damage or casualties. Villagers evacuated to shelters began returning home, with civil aviation officials noting no significant airport damage in the south, and flight operations remained unaffected.
As inspections unfolded, the coastal city of Hinatuan, with a population of about 44,000 people, documented residents and vehicles moving towards higher ground. The Philippines, situated on the Ring of Fire, a volatile belt of Pacific Ocean volcanoes, frequently experiences earthquakes.
