At least one killed, 30 injured after powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes off the coast of the Philippines

At least one person has been killed, 30 others hospitalised after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the Philippines.

The quake hit 20km east of Santiago at a depth of 58km at 9.43am local time (12.43pm AEDT) on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

At least one person was killed, civil defence official Raffy Alejandro said on Facebook.

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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an update about noon, local time, saying the tsunami threat in the Philippines had passed, having earlier said waves one to three metres high were possible, although warnings from other agencies remained in place.

Earlier, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said a tsunami warning had been issued for several coastal provinces in Mindanao and the Visayas, including Davao Oriental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Southern Leyte and Eastern Samar.

Debris inside a government building following an earthquake in Manay, Philippines, 10 October 2025. Credit: Philippines Bureau of Fire ProtectionFire officers removing debris outside a shopping mall following an earthquake in Butuan city, Caraga region, Philippines, 10 October 2025. Credit: Philippines Bureau of Fire Protection

He urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate in a Facebook post.

“I have directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, the Office of Civil Defense, the Armed Forces, the Philippine Coast Guard, and all concerned agencies to immediately carry out evacuations in coastal areas, activate emergency communication lines, and coordinate closely with local governments,” Marcos Jr said.

“To our kababayans in the affected regions, please stay alert and calm. Move to higher ground and stay away from the shore until authorities declare it safe.

“Follow all instructions from your local disaster councils and barangay officials. Your safety is our top priority.”

Multiple people have reported feeling the tremor on social media, sharing videos from within the quake zone.

Dramatic video and images from the moment the quake struck showed panicked residents on Mindanao island, rushing out of buildings, or trying to maintain their balance as the ground beneath them shook violently.

A video feed from a market in Davao showed the ground shaking, and people screaming and taking cover.

In Davao City, firefighters were filmed crouching on the ground outside their station, as sirens blared.

Indonesia’s geophysics agency has also issued a tsunami warning for the country’s northern Sulawesi and Papua regions, more than 300km from the earthquake’s epicentre.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said there is no tsunami threat to Australia from the quake.

Santiago is a small town of about 3000 residents that lies on the island of Mindanao.

The quake comes just 10 days after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Bogo and nearby rural towns in Cebu province, in the central Philippines.

At least 72 people were killed and more than 200 injured in that disaster, which trapped an unknown number of residents.

Two women walk past a damaged house after a strong earthquake in Davao City, southern Philippines on Friday Oct. 10, 2025. Credit: Manman Dejeto/APA woman hugs a child as parents and children evacuate a school after a strong earthquake in Davao City, Philippines, on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. Credit: Manman Dejeto/APA powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of the Philippines. Credit: USGS

– With CNN