Reporting from Manila, local disaster agency officials in Manay town are currently assessing the situation following the recent earthquake. As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties, although several students reportedly fainted during the quake. Richie Diuyen, a dedicated disaster staff member, recounted her experience, expressing that she is still feeling dizzy from the quake that lasted for nearly a minute. “I am still scared and shook. We couldn’t believe how strong the earthquake was. This was the first time I have experienced that,” she shared with the BBC.
In response to the earthquake, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for immediate evacuations in some coastal regions of the central and southern Philippines. The president announced via Facebook that search and rescue operations will commence as soon as conditions are deemed safe. He urged residents in affected areas to seek higher ground and avoid coastal areas until authorities confirm it is safe to return. “We are working round the clock to ensure that help reaches everyone who needs it,” Marcos Jr. stated.
The earthquake that struck this morning comes at a time when the Philippines is grappling with a series of natural disasters that have caused significant devastation across the nation. Just last week, a magnitude-7.0 earthquake hit the coastal city of Bogo in Cebu province, resulting in 74 fatalities and over 500 injuries. The country is also frequently affected by typhoons; recently, Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi led to at least 11 deaths and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate. Additionally, Super Typhoon Ragasa, the largest storm of the year, wreaked havoc in the northern Cagayan province in September.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, local authorities are urging residents to remain calm and to refrain from spreading unverified information regarding the earthquake. The Meterology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency has advised individuals to steer clear of buildings that have sustained damage due to the quake and to inspect their homes for structural integrity before re-entering. Fortunately, as of now, no reports of significant damage have been received.
In the southern province of Davao Oriental, Governor Edwin Jubahib reported that panic ensued as the earthquake struck, leading to some structural damage. “It was very strong,” he told local broadcaster DZMM, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. This region has a history of natural disasters, with hundreds killed in 2012 following Typhoon Bopha.
The Philippine seismology agency has issued a warning about a potentially destructive tsunami with life-threatening wave heights. Authorities are anticipating waves that may exceed one meter above normal tide levels, particularly in enclosed bays and straits. The agency expects the first tsunami waves to arrive before 11:43 local time (03:43 GMT) and may continue for several hours.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has advised residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher grounds or move inland without delay. The agency has also instructed boat owners to secure their vessels and steer clear of the waterfront. “Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised,” Phivolcs added in its statement.
Recent alerts from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicate that tsunami waves could reach heights of up to 3 meters (10 feet) above normal tide levels along some coasts in the Philippines. Additionally, waves may rise to about one meter above normal tide levels for certain coasts of Indonesia and Palau. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow all safety protocols as the situation develops.
