MANILA: In the early hours of Sunday, the Philippines faced the aftermath of a formidable seismic event, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the southern part of the country. The quake prompted immediate coastal evacuations and triggered waves that reached not only the Philippine shores but also resonated in Japan.
Despite the significant magnitude, initial reports indicate no immediate casualties or severe damage in the Mindanao region. However, some residents reported structural damage to buildings, particularly in less densely populated areas.
The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded over 500 aftershocks and issued cautionary statements as people cautiously resumed their daily activities. While the tsunami alert was lifted, Phivolcs stressed the importance of residents in vulnerable communities following guidance from local authorities.
The national disaster response teams are on the ground, actively assessing the impact of the earthquake. The Philippine Coast Guard has placed all vessels and aircraft on high alert, prepared to dispatch aid as necessary.
Julita Bicap, a front desk staffer at GLC Suites hotel in the coastal town of Bislig, shared her experience: “We started returning to our homes early on Sunday, although we are still on edge due to aftershocks.” She noted power restoration around 5 a.m. (2100 GMT) and mentioned the perseverance of the community despite ongoing aftershocks. Bicap highlighted the resilience of the residents, even as she described a small crack in the hotel’s front wall.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported the largest aftershock at magnitude 6.5. Earthquakes are not uncommon in the Philippines, given its location along the “Ring of Fire,” a volatile belt of volcanoes encircling the Pacific Ocean.
Photographs from Hinatuan province, located 30 km (20 miles) from the quake’s epicenter, revealed scores of residents seeking refuge in evacuation centers. The Hinatuan-Bislig Bay station recorded maximum waves of 0.64 meters (2 feet), emphasizing the localized impact.
Japan’s Hachijojima island, situated approximately 290 km (180 miles) south of Tokyo, recorded waves of 40 cm (1.3 feet), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. The initial warning from the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, projecting waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) above usual high tide levels, created heightened concerns during the early hours.
The earthquake, striking at 10:37 p.m. (1437 GMT) on Saturday at a depth of 25 km (15 miles), left its mark on various communities. James Soria, a small hotel owner in Hinatuan, reported significant damage to his home, conveying the ongoing anxiety as aftershocks continued.
Cosme Calejesan, residing 185 km (115 miles) from the epicenter in Surigao City, described the unsettling experience: “I was already asleep, but I was woken up by the creaking sounds of my cabinets when the tremor occurred. It was frightening, sudden, and abrupt, and I was worried for my children.”
As the affected regions begin the process of recovery, the focus remains on community resilience and coordinated emergency response efforts. The earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of seismic activity in the region.
