Two strong earthquakes hit the southern Philippines on Friday, resulting in at least seven fatalities and prompting tsunami alerts.
The larger earthquake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, struck approximately 20km off Manay town in the Mindanao region just before 10:00am (0100 GMT), as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
Following the initial quake, an aftershock of 6.7 magnitude rattled the same vicinity nearly 10 hours later, one of many aftershocks that ensued after the first tremor.
These seismic events occurred 11 days after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake claimed 75 lives and left over 1,200 injured in Cebu province in central Philippines, according to official statistics.
During the major quake, three miners digging for gold lost their lives when a mine shaft collapsed in the mountains west of Manay, as confirmed by rescue official Kent Simeon of Pantukan town to AFP.
Rescue efforts managed to save one miner and several others sustained injuries in Gumayan, a remote village, where some tunnels collapsed but miners were able to escape, Simeon mentioned.
In the aftermath, one individual died in Mati city due to a collapsed wall, while two others suffered fatal heart attacks, informed city disaster official Charlemagne Bagasol to AFP.
Furthermore, a person was fatally injured by falling debris in Davao city, over 100km away from the earthquake’s epicenter, as per police statements.
Local authorities issued tsunami alerts following both the morning and evening quakes, mandating evacuations along the eastern coast, although no significant waves were reported.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center rescinded its alert for the Philippines, Palau, and Indonesia by midday.
Wes Caasi, an official from Tagum city situated northwest of Manay, recounted a scene of panic and chaos during a government function at city hall as attendees fled in terror, screaming and running.
Supporting videos shared on social media, Caasi witnessed city workers hurriedly descending from a metal Christmas tree they were decorating when the initial quake hit.
Nice Eugenio from Tagum city narrated her experience of losing power in her neighborhood due to the intense aftershock, causing her to feel extremely anxious and dizzy for a brief moment.
An AFP photographer aboard a plane landing in Davao city reported that passengers were delayed disembarking due to the strong aftershock shaking the aircraft.
Subsequently, Davao residents were observed lining up for fuel at busy gas stations during the evening, as reported by AFP journalists.
Witnesses and officials indicated that the earthquakes resulted in minimal damages, with the Philippine seismology office recording over 300 aftershocks in the region.
Although no buildings collapsed, there were reports of landslides and cracked bridges, as stated by Davao Oriental provincial governor Nelson Dayanghirang to ABS-CBN network.
Dayanghirang mentioned, “Some structures sustained damage,” while over 200 patients were evacuated from the Manay district hospital where temporary tents were erected due to foundation cracks in the building.
As a precautionary measure, classes were suspended, and non-essential personnel were released from duty, as communicated by the provincial government through their Facebook page.