Massive 7.6 Earthquake Rocks Southern Philippines
A huge 7.6-magnitude tremor hit the southern Philippines on October 10, 2025, sending shockwaves through Mindanao. The quake struck just 10 km (6 miles) off the coast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province, jolting residents and rattling buildings.
Tsunami Alerts Trigger Coastal Evacuations
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) fired off urgent warnings of possible widespread damage and powerful aftershocks. Residents along the central and southern coasts scrambled to higher ground or moved inland amid fears of tsunami waves up to 3 metres high crashing ashore.
- Tsunami warnings spread across the region:
- Indonesia’s northern Sulawesi and Papua may see waves up to 50 cm
- US Tsunami Warning System flags hazardous waves within 300 km (186 miles) of the epicentre
- Parts of the Philippines face 1 to 3 metre tsunami waves
- Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warns of up to 1 metre waves in Indonesia and Palau
Aftershocks Spark Panic and Damage
Davao Oriental Governor Edwin Jubahib called the quake “very strong” as panic spread through communities. Several buildings sustained damage. Local officials struggled to respond quickly amid the chaos.
This quake follows a deadly 6.9 offshore tremor near Cebu just two weeks ago that killed 72 people — the worst Philippine earthquake toll in over a decade.
Philippines: A Hotspot on the Pacific Ring of Fire
Sitting smack on the fiery Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines endures more than 800 earthquakes every year. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre put the quake at 7.4 magnitude, striking 58 km (36 miles) beneath the surface.
