In the early hours of the morning, a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck the southern coast of the Philippines, with its epicenter located near Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings across several coastal provinces in the region.
So far, two people have been confirmed dead in Davao Oriental province, while dozens were injured and thousands evacuated as a precaution. Local authorities suspended classes and ordered urgent inspections of buildings and infrastructure to prevent further tragedies.
Although the tsunami alerts were lifted a few hours later, the quake caused aftershocks of up to 5.6 magnitude, damaging power lines and homes across the area.
What will be the immediate priorities in responding to this natural disaster?
The first steps will involve assessing the stability of critical infrastructure, followed by restoring electricity and providing medical assistance to those affected. These urgent actions could make a crucial difference in the coming hours in the Philippines.
