4-12-2023 (MANILA) The southern Philippines was struck by a powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake on Sunday (Dec 3), according to the US Geological Survey. This seismic event came just one day after an even stronger quake hit the same region, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and the activation of a tsunami alert.
The latest earthquake, one of several significant aftershocks experienced since late Saturday, occurred at approximately 6:40 pm local time. Its epicenter was located 56km northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island, at a depth of 56km.
From Hinatuan Surigao del Sur #EarthquakePH #earthquake pic.twitter.com/mHr3rF8uBW
— earlpedsoro (@raeldumpx) December 2, 2023
Residents in the affected area had already sought higher ground the previous night following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. However, despite their precautions, at least two individuals lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries. The USGS reported that five major aftershocks with magnitudes exceeding 6.0 occurred throughout Sunday.
Staff Sergeant Joseph Lambo of the Hinatuan police shared that the quake on Sunday evening caused people to once again flee their homes in a state of panic. “They were panicking due to the memory of the previous night’s quake,” Lambo told AFP. Authorities are currently assessing the situation for any further damage or casualties.
The earthquake on Saturday had prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific region and forced residents along the east coast of Mindanao to evacuate buildings and seek higher ground.
As of Sunday, there have been no reports of significant damage to buildings or infrastructure, according to disaster officials interviewed by AFP. Pacifica Pedraverde, a local disaster official, stated that a 30-year-old man in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur province, lost his life when a wall inside his house collapsed on him. Although some roads in the city were cracked during the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, they remained drivable.
In Tagum city, Davao del Norte province, a pregnant woman was reported to have been killed, as confirmed by the national disaster agency. However, no further details were provided about the incident.
Additionally, two individuals in Tandag City, located approximately 100km north of Bislig, sustained minor injuries due to falling debris.
The Philippine seismology institute initially issued a warning of a “destructive tsunami” following the first quake, anticipating “life-threatening” waves. However, at around 3:25 am local time, the institute declared that the highest waves observed were 64cm tall on Mawes Island and announced the end of the tsunami warning.
Although small swells were observed as far as Japan’s eastern Pacific coast, where a brief tsunami warning was also issued, Palau, a western Pacific archipelago approximately 900km off Mindanao, reported no impact.
This earthquake occurred nearly two weeks after a 6.7 magnitude quake struck Mindanao, resulting in the deaths of at least nine people. The tremors caused buildings to shake, and a section of a shopping mall ceiling collapsed.
As the Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for its intense seismic and volcanic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, earthquakes are a frequent occurrence. However, most are too weak to be felt by humans.
