Manila: Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and move to safer areas after a powerful earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Sunday, triggering tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia and causing widespread concern among coastal communities.
The strong undersea earthquake, measured at a magnitude of 7.8 by international monitoring agencies, occurred near the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. The quake struck at a depth of around 33 kilometres beneath the sea floor and was felt across a large part of the country.
Authorities immediately issued tsunami warnings for several coastal provinces in the Philippines. Residents living near beaches and low lying coastal areas were urged to move to higher ground as a precaution. Emergency sirens sounded in some communities while local officials and rescue teams helped guide people to safer locations.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the earthquake had the potential to generate dangerous sea waves. Officials warned residents to stay away from beaches, ports and river mouths until authorities confirmed that the threat had passed.
Shortly after the quake, small tsunami waves were recorded in some coastal areas. While the waves were not as destructive as initially feared, officials said the warnings were necessary because stronger waves can sometimes arrive hours after a major undersea earthquake.
The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring countries, leading authorities in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia to closely monitor coastal conditions. Regional disaster agencies remained on alert as scientists continued to analyse data from sea level monitoring stations.
In Mindanao, frightened residents rushed out of homes, shopping centres and public buildings as the ground shook violently. Videos shared on social media showed people gathering in open spaces while emergency workers checked structures for possible damage.
Local authorities reported damage to some buildings, roads and public infrastructure in several areas. Power interruptions were also reported in a few communities. Engineers and disaster response teams have been deployed to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of public facilities.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to provide immediate assistance to affected communities. Disaster management officials coordinated rescue preparations, emergency relief operations and damage assessments across the impacted regions.
Schools in some areas suspended classes while authorities carried out safety inspections. Hospitals and emergency services remained on standby to respond to any injuries or emergencies linked to the disaster.
The Philippines is one of the world's most disaster prone countries because it lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country experiences thousands of earthquakes every year, although only a small number cause significant damage.
Seismologists have warned that aftershocks are likely to continue in the coming days. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, follow official instructions and avoid entering damaged buildings until safety inspections are completed.
As emergency crews continue their work, many families remain in evacuation centres or temporary shelters, waiting for confirmation that it is safe to return home. While the feared large scale tsunami did not materialise, the earthquake served as a powerful reminder of the natural risks faced by communities across the Philippines and the importance of disaster preparedness.
Authorities said monitoring efforts will continue as they assess the full impact of the earthquake and support affected residents in the recovery process.