Post by : Rameen Ariff

A strong 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Friday morning, causing panic in Davao City and surrounding areas. Videos circulating on social media show students in a university class quickly picking up plastic chairs and covering their heads while screaming in fear. The tremors triggered chaos as people tried to take shelter, highlighting the intensity of the quake.

At the Tagum City Davao Regional Medical Centre, patients and staff were seen evacuating the building. Some held onto trees for support, while children and individuals in wheelchairs were carefully guided to safety. Many evacuees were forced to sit on the roadside as buildings shook violently.

Another video reportedly from Butuan City in Mindanao showed residents running in panic as structures trembled. People screamed in fear, while some crouched on the ground seeking safety. The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) below the ground, causing strong tremors across the region around 9:30 am local time.

Edwin Jubahib, governor of Davao Oriental province, confirmed that several buildings were damaged and described the earthquake as “very strong.”

In response to the quake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued an alert for coasts within 300 kilometres (186 miles) of the epicentre, warning that dangerous waves could strike nearby areas. Some coasts could see tsunami waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) above normal sea levels, potentially affecting six provinces in the Philippines. Smaller waves may also reach Indonesia and Palau. Residents in coastal areas have been urged to move to higher ground immediately.

This earthquake follows a deadly magnitude 6.9 quake in Bogo City, Cebu, just ten days ago, which killed 71 people. The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences around 800 earthquakes each year, making such tremors a frequent and serious threat.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, and residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow safety protocols as aftershocks may occur.

#world news #Global News