Southern Philippines Shaken by Powerful Quake, Residents Flee Amid Tsunami Fears!

December 3rd, 2023: In a harrowing turn of events, the southern Philippines was jolted by a formidable magnitude 7.6 earthquake on Saturday night, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The seismic event, which originated off the coast of the country, was followed by four major aftershocks, inducing panic and prompting residents to flee coastal areas, haunted by the looming threat of a tsunami.

The initial quake struck at 10:37 pm local time, approximately 21 kilometers northeast of Hinatuan municipality on Mindanao island, at a depth of 32 kilometers, as reported by the USGS. Early on Sunday, the region experienced a series of powerful aftershocks measuring 6.4, 6.2, 6.1, and 6.0 in magnitude, exacerbating the anxiety of the affected population.

Tsunami warnings were swiftly issued across the Pacific, causing residents in northeast Mindanao to evacuate buildings, hospitals, and seek refuge in higher ground. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology conveyed a chilling message, stating, “Destructive tsunami is expected with life-threatening wave heights.”

However, relief followed as both the Philippine and Pacific Tsunami Warning Centers later downgraded the alerts. The Philippines seismology institute reported that the highest waves, reaching 0.64 meters (25 inches), were recorded on Mawes Island, ultimately putting an end to the tsunami warning.

While the earthquake triggered no casualties or major property damage, Hinatuan police Sergeant Joseph Lambo described the tremors as “very strong.” Appliances toppled, and minor damages occurred, prompting the evacuation of the municipality’s 45,000 residents.

Social media became a platform for eyewitness accounts, with videos capturing the chaos in stores and streets. One video, verified by AFP, depicted the terror of a convenience store staff fleeing as products crashed from shelves. Another showcased residents in Lianga running in panic, with one witness describing the experience as “very traumatic.”

In the aftermath, false reports of a tsunami hitting Lingig municipality circulated on social media, debunked by police Master Sergeant Robert Quesada, who assured that people had wisely evacuated from the coast.

For Bethanie Valledor, the quake interrupted her sleep, and she recounted the fear that gripped her. “I felt like the room we’re staying in would be destroyed,” she said, highlighting the urgency of the evacuation.

The earthquake comes on the heels of a 6.7 magnitude quake in Mindanao just two weeks prior, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. Quakes are an unfortunate reality in the Philippines, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a volatile zone prone to intense seismic and volcanic disturbances. Despite the daily tremors, predicting the occurrence of strong and destructive quakes remains an elusive challenge, leaving communities to grapple with the unpredictability of nature.