At least one person died and several establishments sustained damage in Davao Region (Region 11) after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake (initially reported as magnitude 7.6) struck off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental at 9:43 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported.
The fatality was hit by fallen debris, while damage was observed at Ateneo de Davao and Mapúa Malayan Colleges, including cracked ceilings.
Francisco Bangoy International Airport also showed structural cracks but remains operational with no flight cancellations.
“For Region 11, we received an initial report of one dead victim due to fallen debris. This is subject for validation,” said OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV.
The OCD was placed on full alert following instructions from President Marcos Jr.
“All government resources are on standby to respond and augment the efforts of our local government units in Mindanao,” Alejandro added.
The powerful quake triggered a tsunami warning in several provinces including Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Davao Oriental, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Leyte.
Coastal residents were immediately advised to evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland as a precaution.
Minor damages were reported in several establishments and schools in Davao Region.
“We received reports of damaged facilities and ceilings at Ateneo de Davao and Mapúa Malayan Colleges. There were also cracks observed at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport but the airport is still operational and no flights have been canceled in Davao City,” Alejandro noted.
Class suspension was also in effect in Davao Oriental and Davao City while damage assessment was ongoing.
In Northern Mindanao (Region 10), several schools in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City reported minor structural cracks while a landslide occurred in Camiguin. Misamis Oriental also experienced power outages, Alejandro said. Suspension of work and classes were also implemented in affected areas.
Forced evacuations were carried out in coastal communities while class suspensions were ordered across Eastern Visayas (Region 8), particularly in Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
In Caraga (Region 13) forced evacuation was also in effect in coastal communities. (Martin Sadongdong)
