TL;DR: A magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit off the coast of Manay, Davao Oriental on October 10, 2025, followed by a magnitude 6.8 aftershock hours later. The twin quakes prompted tsunami warnings, mass coastal evacuations, and caused at least 7 deaths and 300+ injuries. Damage included cracked buildings, power outages, and school/hospital closures. Tsunami waves under 0.3 meters were observed; warnings were later lifted. Over 500 aftershocks were recorded. Authorities mobilized nationwide relief and rescue, while scientists confirmed the event as a rare tectonic “doublet” along the Philippine Trench.
A powerful earthquake doublet struck off the coast of Davao Oriental, Philippines on October 10, 2025, with tsunami warnings issued and casualties reported.
🕓 Key Events & Timeline
- Mainshock: October 10, 2025, 9:43 AM PHT, Magnitude 7.5 (PHIVOLCS final), offshore Manay, Davao Oriental.
- Aftershock: 7:12 PM PHT, Magnitude 6.8, same region.
- Initial tsunami warnings issued minutes after mainshock, lifted by ~11:45 AM for the first event and ~9:00 PM for the second.
📉 Earthquake Details
- Type: Tectonic (thrust faulting on the Philippine Trench)
- Depth: 23 km (revised from 10 km)
- Epicenter: ~48 km NE of Manay (07.25°N, 126.93°E)
- Nature: A “doublet” earthquake, two strong quakes on the same fault, ~7 hours apart.
🧭 PHIVOLCS Intensity Reports
Area | Intensity | Effects |
Davao Oriental (Manay, Baganga) | IX (Devastating) | Cracks in buildings, evacuations, 4 deaths |
Mati, Tarragona | VIII (Very Destructive) | Hospital damage, school closures |
Davao City | VII (Destructive) | 1 death, 300+ injuries, airport temporarily halted |
Surigao provinces | VI | Shaking, some cracks |
Eastern Samar/Leyte | V | Felt, no major damage |
Sulawesi (Indonesia) | IV | Light shaking, tsunami alert |
⚠️ Casualties & Damage (as of Oct 11, 2025)
- Fatalities: 7 confirmed
- 3 in Mati (heart attacks, wall collapse)
- 1 in Lupon (falling debris)
- 1 in Davao City (crushed by debris)
- 1 in Pantukan (landslide)
- 1 in Davao del Sur (heart attack during aftershock)
- Injuries: 300+, mostly from panic, fainting, and minor injuries.
- Evacuations: 200+ from Manay District Hospital; thousands from coastal areas across 7 provinces.
- Damages:
- Cracked roads, bridges, and buildings
- Power outages across Davao Oriental
- Temporary airport shutdowns in Davao and Butuan
🌊 Tsunami Impact
- Waves: 0.2–0.3 meters in Siargao, Davao coast, and Tandag (Surigao del Sur).
- Evacuations: Enforced in Davao Oriental, Leyte, Surigao, and others.
- Warnings extended to: Indonesia (Sulawesi, Papua) and Palau, later canceled.
🏛️ Government Response
- President Marcos Jr.: Visited Davao City on Oct 10 evening, activated red alerts, mobilized AFP, BFP, PNP.
- DSWD: Deployed 3,000+ relief packs, child-friendly spaces in evacuations.
- DPWH: Inspections, road clearing, aerial surveys.
- Classes/work suspended in Davao regions through Oct 12.
- Inter-agency Cabinet meeting held Oct 11 in Davao Oriental.
🔬 Scientific Context
- Region: Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, prone to frequent quakes (800+/year).
- No link to the M6.9 Cebu quake on Sept 30 (72 deaths).
- Aftershocks: Over 500 recorded by Oct 11; strongest: M5.8 at 2:15 PM on Oct 10.
- Forecast: Aftershocks likely for weeks, some could exceed M5.0+.
📱 Public & Media Reaction
- Social Media Highlights:
- Wedding vows moved outside a damaged church in Davao del Norte.
- Birds seen fleeing during aftershock in Agusan del Sur (80k+ views).
- Personal accounts of panic, survival, and calls for aid.
- Misinformation circulating (e.g., "supernatural causes"), debunked by PHIVOLCS.
🔁 In Summary
- True and confirmed: A devastating earthquake doublet occurred off Davao Oriental on October 10, 2025.
- Accurate reports, with minor revisions in magnitude (7.6 → 7.5) and depth (10 km → 23 km).
- Effective evacuations and early tsunami warnings helped reduce loss of life.
- Government and agencies mobilized quickly for relief and recovery.