Tsunami Threat Lifted in Philippines and Indonesia After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake

The threat of a tsunami in the Philippines and Indonesia has officially passed, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck near the southern Philippines late Wednesday.

Initial Tsunami Alerts

The US-based center had earlier cautioned of possible waves:

• Up to 3 meters (10 feet) above tide level along parts of the Philippine coast.

• Waves of up to 1 meter expected along coastal areas of Indonesia and the Pacific island nation of Palau.

The alert triggered panic in several communities, with residents rushing to safer ground.

Evacuations Ordered in Philippines

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered immediate evacuations in multiple coastal provinces as a precaution. Emergency shelters were opened, and disaster officials remained on high alert through the night.

Local media reports showed chaotic scenes outside hospitals in Davao City, close to the quake’s epicenter, as patients and families fled buildings fearing aftershocks.

Situation in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities confirmed they had also received the tsunami alert but later reassured the public after no abnormal sea-level changes were observed. Officials said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Tsunami Threat Lifted

Within hours, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center declared the tsunami threat had passed for both nations, calming fears of major destruction. While aftershocks remain possible, disaster officials in both countries urged residents to stay vigilant but return home safely.

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: 7.4

• Region: Near Mindanao island, southern Philippines

• Tremors felt across Mindanao and parts of eastern Indonesia

• Shallow depth, which initially raised concerns of a tsunami

Final Word

While the region has been spared from a devastating tsunami, the quake is a reminder of the vulnerability of coastal nations in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where seismic activity is frequent. Both the Philippines and Indonesia continue to monitor for aftershocks and stress the importance of preparedness in quake-prone zones.