Deadly Twin Earthquakes Rock Southern Philippines, Sparking Evacuations and Damage
Two powerful offshore earthquakes struck the southern Philippines hours apart, causing at least 7 deaths, widespread damage, and prompting evacuations and tsunami warnings.
Overview
- Two powerful offshore earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 7.4 to 7.6, struck the southern Philippines near Mindanao island and Davao Oriental province, occurring hours apart.
- The twin quakes caused significant damage, including cracks in multiple buildings, an international airport in Davao City, and the Magsaysay Bridge, sparking widespread panic.
- At least 7 people died in the affected regions, and approximately 250 patients were evacuated from a damaged hospital, requiring temporary tent housing for care.
- Tsunami warnings were initially issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Palau, and local alerts were sparked, but these were later lifted without major waves detected.
- Children in Davao City evacuated schools, and authorities urged residents in nearby provinces to move to higher ground, as President Marcos Jr. deployed search and rescue.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of the earthquake's impact and official responses. They avoid loaded language or selective emphasis, presenting a straightforward account of the natural disaster, its casualties, and the damage incurred. The coverage prioritizes informing the public about the event's severity and the ongoing relief efforts.
"At least seven people were killed in the quakes, civil defence official Ednar Dayanghirang said."
USA TODAY"A 7.4-magnitude earthquake Friday morning off the southern Philippines killed at least two people, damaged a hospital and schools, knocked out power and prompted evacuations of coastal areas nearby due to a possible tsunami."
CBS News"The damage is quite big."
USA TODAY"The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said it was expecting damage and aftershocks from the earthquake, which was centered at sea about 62 kilometers (38 miles) southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province and was caused by movement in a fault at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles)."
ABC News"The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu said hazardous waves were possible within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the epicenter."
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FAQ
Two powerful offshore earthquakes struck the southern Philippines near Mindanao and Davao Oriental; the largest was magnitude 7.4 occurring about 12 miles off Manay town, followed by aftershocks including a 6.7 magnitude quake hours later.
At least 7 people died due to the earthquakes, including three miners killed by tunnel collapses west of Manay, one person crushed by falling debris in Davao City, one killed in Mati city from a collapsing wall, one from a fatal heart attack, and multiple injuries were reported.
The earthquakes caused significant damage to multiple buildings, including cracks in schools and hospitals, damage to an international airport in Davao City, and the Magsaysay Bridge; about 250 patients were evacuated from a damaged hospital requiring temporary care in tents.
Tsunami warnings were initially issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Palau but were later lifted without major waves detected. Authorities urged residents to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution.
Authorities deployed search and rescue teams, evacuated approximately 250 patients from a damaged hospital to temporary tent housing, urged residents in affected provinces to move to higher ground, and schools in Davao City evacuated children to safety.
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