A 7.4 earthquake that struck near the Philippines, killing at least two and damaging buildings, was followed by a powerful aftershock on Friday, Oct. 10, authorities said.
The initial quake struck offshore from the Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines at 9:45 a.m. local time on Oct. 10. In the wake of that 7.4 quake, tsunami warnings were issued to surrounding coasts, but were later canceled.
The large aftershock struck at about 7:12 p.m. and new tsunami warnings were issued. Authorities urged people in the Davao Oriental, Surigao Del Sur and Surigao Del Norte provinces to evacuate to higher ground or move inland. Authorities in the Philippines said the aftershock was a 6.9-magnitude quake while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 6.7.
As authorities warned more strong aftershocks could come, search-and-rescue teams were preparing to assess areas with damage when it was safe to do so, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.
At least two people were killed in Mati City near the epicenter, civil defense official Karlo Puerto told Reuters. In Manay, there were early reports of damage to buildings and bridges.
