At least two people have died and several injured after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. local time on October 10. The epicenter was located approximately 43 km east of Manay town, at a depth of 23 km, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

In Mati City, the two fatalities were reported following structural collapses, while dozens of students were hospitalized after fainting or sustaining minor injuries during the tremor. The quake caused damage to multiple buildings including a hospital, a high school, and parts of Davao City’s airport, which sustained wall cracks but remained operational.

Tsunami warnings were promptly issued for six coastal provinces and neighboring regions in Indonesia and Palau, as authorities anticipated wave heights of up to 3 meters in some areas. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later canceled the alerts after only minor sea fluctuations were recorded.

Aftershocks continue to jolt the region, including a 5.2-magnitude tremor felt at 3:38 p.m. near Manay. PHIVOLCS cautions residents to remain alert for further activity as damage assessments progress.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged immediate support, ordering deployment of search-and-rescue and relief teams once conditions permit. Government agencies are now coordinating with local officials to deliver aid, conduct structural inspections, and restore power lines affected by the quake.

This quake follows another devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu on September 30, which killed at least 74 people.The latest disaster highlights the Philippines’ persistent exposure to seismic hazards along the Pacific Ring of Fire.