A magnitude 7.4 earthquake followed by a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the southern region of the Philippines, resulting in seven deaths.
According to major foreign news outlets such as AFP on October 11 (local time), a magnitude 7.4 earthquake occurred at around 9:43 a.m. the previous day on the eastern coast of Mindanao Island in southern Philippines. About nine hours later, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck the same coast.
The head of the local volcanology and seismology institute explained, "The second earthquake was not an aftershock but a separate event, which is called a 'doublet earthquake.' Both earthquakes occurred in the same region, but their magnitudes and epicenters were different."
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake followed by a 6.7 earthquake struck the eastern coast of Mindanao Island in southern Philippines. Capture by U.S. Geological Survey.
The volcanology and seismology institute expressed concern that structures already weakened by the first earthquake could collapse due to the second one.
The initial death toll was two, but later rose to seven.
Three miners died when a tunnel collapsed after the earthquake in the mountainous area west of Manay, Davao Oriental Province, near the epicenter on Mindanao Island.
In Mati, in the same province, three people died, including a resident who was hit by falling debris. In Davao, located in the southeastern part of Mindanao Island, one person was killed after being trapped under rubble.
The Philippine meteorological authorities reported that there were more than 480 aftershocks the previous day.
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