Philippine President orders evacuation after powerful earthquake strikes southern part
Manila – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has ordered a swift evacuation after a 7.4‑magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental on Friday. The quake, reported at 9:43 a.m. local time, could trigger tsunami waves that may last hours.
Marcos told residents to stay calm, move to higher ground, and stay away from the shore until officials say it’s safe. He directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defence, the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard and other agencies to pull people out of coastal villages, activate emergency lines, and help local governments coordinate the response.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered the quake’s strength from 7.6 to 7.4 and confirmed it occurred 23 km beneath the sea, about 43 km northeast of Manay. It also issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas across Mindanao and at least three central Philippine provinces.
Search, rescue and relief teams are on standby and will deploy once it’s safe to do so. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has already begun clearing evacuation routes and setting up temporary shelters.
In the aftermath, local media reported two deaths: a man in Mati City who died after a wall collapsed on him, and another who was buried by a landslide in Pantukan, Davao de Oro. Images of a collapsed shopping mall in Butuan City and damaged Davao International Airport spread on social media, showing the quake’s reach.
Residents and officials urge everyone in the tsunami‑prone coastlines to heed safety orders, stay informed through local radio and emergency alerts, and evacuate promptly. The government’s rapid response aims to keep lives safe as the nation monitors the waters for further waves.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
