Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes Davao Oriental, causes tsunami warning, 1 dead

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck 62 kilometers southeast of Manay, Davao Oriental, with its epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers.

One person has died after being struck by falling hollow blocks in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a tsunami warning for coastlines facing the Pacific Ocean, including Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Eastern Samar.

Phivolcs recorded a small tsunami wave height of around 30 centimeters in Tandag, Surigao del Sur, before lifting the warning, signaling it was safe for communities to return home.

As of 1:50 p.m., a total of 240 aftershocks have been recorded following the earthquake.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has deployed disaster response teams to assist affected communities and aid in damage assessment.

Initial reports indicated damage to police stations and a bridge in Butuan City.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the evacuation of residents in affected areas and reassured them that help was on the way.