A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, prompting immediate tsunami warnings from both Philippine and Indonesian authorities. Residents in coastal towns across central and southern regions were urgently advised to evacuate, with fears of waves exceeding one meter above normal tide levels. The quake resulted in at least one fatality, widespread power outages, and the suspension of classes in affected areas. This seismic event follows closely on the heels of a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu province just over a week prior, which claimed 74 lives and left hundreds injured. Local media captured scenes of chaos, with overhead cables swaying violently and vehicles coming to a halt as the ground shook. In Davao City, near the epicenter, hospitals overflowed into parking lots as medical staff treated patients outdoors. Edwin Jubahib, governor of Davao Oriental province, reported significant building damage and described the quake as ‘very strong.’ Richie Diuyen, a local disaster agency worker, recounted the terror of the moment, stating, ‘I am still scared and shook. This was the first time I have experienced that.’ The Philippines, situated on the volatile ‘Ring of Fire,’ has been grappling with a series of natural disasters, including typhoons, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes. Dr. Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine volcanic agency Phivolcs, emphasized the need for preparedness, urging Filipinos to ‘accept our reality’ and remain vigilant. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later declared the threat had passed, aftershocks continued to rattle the southern region of Mindanao. In Indonesia, minor tsunamis were detected, with the highest wave reaching 17cm in the Talaud Islands. Authorities in both nations have called for calm and advised residents to avoid damaged structures.