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On October 10, 2025, at 9:43 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (1:43 a.m. UTC), a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of Mindanao, Philippines, with its epicenter approximately 20 km east of Santiago, in the province of Davao Oriental.
The earthquake, originating in the Philippine Trench due to the subduction of the Philippine Offshore Plate, was felt in Mindanao and parts of the Visayas, reaching intensities as high as VIII on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale in some areas.
This event occurred just 11 days after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, increasing regional vulnerability. Tsunami warnings were issued but later canceled after the threat passed, with only minor waves (up to 19 cm in some distant areas) being recorded.
The earthquake caused few but tragic human casualties, primarily due to falling debris. As of October 10, 2025, reports confirm at least two deaths and more than 50 injuries, many of whom are students and teachers who were affected during the evacuation.
Panic evacuations contributed to some injuries, but no large numbers of casualties were reported, likely due to the offshore epicenter and the early morning hours.
Widespread, though mostly moderate, damage affected buildings, roads, and utilities in Eastern Mindanao and nearby regions.
Power outages were frequent, and several key structures required immediate inspections or evacuation. No major collapses were reported in high-density areas, but cracks and partial failures were reported.
Educational facilities, including classrooms at the Ateneo de Davao University, Mapúa Malay Colleges, Davao de Oro State College, and the Philippine Normal University (Prosperidad Campus), have been suspended throughout the region. Healthcare and patient evacuations have been initiated at the Southern Philippines Medical Center and the Eastern Provincial Medical Center in Davao.
Minor damage to the Francisco Bangoy International Airport; Magsaysay Bridge (Butuan) cracked and closed; sea travel is suspended in Eastern Visayas and Southeastern Mindanao.
Partial collapse at Robinsons Butuan Mall; police stations in Panabo and Talaingod affected; a bridge damaged in Talacogon (Agusan del Sur).
A landslide in Camiguin adds to the geological hazards.
The earthquake disrupted daily life and economic activities in the affected provinces, triggering temporary closures and evacuations. Classes and government operations were suspended in Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and parts of Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Cebu, affecting thousands of students and workers.
Companies, including business process outsourcing companies in Davao City, evacuated their staff, while public events such as school sports openings and typhoon relief distributions were suspended.
The suspension of maritime travel by the Philippine Coast Guard affected fishing and logistics in coastal areas, potentially causing short-term supply chain delays.
On the social front, coastal evacuations in Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte, and Leyte displaced residents inland, and warnings were issued to fishermen in Maydolong.
The power outages in Misamis Oriental exacerbated the vulnerability of rural communities. Initial estimates suggest economic losses in the millions, primarily due to infrastructure repairs and lost productivity, although full assessments are pending.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) quickly issued and canceled tsunami warnings for several provinces, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center extended warnings to Palau and Indonesia.
President Bongbong Marcos ordered rapid damage assessments and urged calm, while the Office of Civil Defense reported on the response efforts.
Local actions included evacuations ordered by the governors in Surigao del Sur and Southern Leyte, full alerts for police in Davao and CARAGA regions, and deployments of the Armed Forces to provide relief.
The Bureau of Fire Protection assisted in the evacuations, and private entities such as Robinsons Malls conducted safety checks.
As of October 10, 2025, the earthquake’s impacts appeared to be contained, with no major human losses, but with significant disruptions to daily operations and infrastructure in Eastern Mindanao.
More than 179 aftershocks (up to magnitude 5.9) have occurred, prompting continued monitoring for stronger aftershocks. Damage assessments continue in Caraga and other regions, with evacuations and inspections continuing into the evening.
This event underscores the Philippines’ seismic risk within the Ring of Fire, emphasizing the need for resilient building codes and early warning systems—lessons learned from previous earthquakes, such as the 2013 Bohol earthquake, which have improved preparedness in the area.
Recovery efforts are expected to focus on rapid repairs to schools and bridges, with international aid unlikely given the magnitude of the earthquake. Residents are advised to prepare for aftershocks and monitor official PHIVOLCS updates.
