MANAY, Philippines – Shocked survivors of two powerful earthquakes in the southern Philippines awoke on Oct 11 to widespread devastation after enduring hundreds of aftershocks overnight. The twin quakes, measuring 7.4 and 6.7 in magnitude, struck off the coast of Mindanao island on Oct 10, killing at least eight people and triggering fear of further collapses.
Thousands of residents in coastal towns like Manay spent the night outdoors, too afraid to return to their damaged homes. “Our small house and our small store were destroyed,” said Ven Lupogan, a local resident. “We have nowhere to sleep. There’s no electricity. We have nothing to eat.”Authorities reported that damage to roads, bridges, and schools was “minimal” so far, but a full assessment of destroyed homes is still underway. In Manay, a municipality of 40,000, residents spent the morning clearing debris and shattered glass from streets and buildings.
Hospitals across the region were forced to evacuate patients to open spaces after structural cracks appeared. “We’re considering putting up tent hospitals,” said Public Works Minister Vince Dizon during a visit to Manay’s damaged medical facilities. The Civil Defence Office said long-term relief will focus on housing repair and reconstruction. “Most likely housing repair needs,” confirmed deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro.
Some families erected makeshift shelters out of tarps and hammocks, while others slept in vehicles or at roadside parks. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has recorded more than 800 aftershocks since the initial quake, warning that tremors could continue for weeks. In Mati, two hours southwest of Manay, residents continued to mourn loved ones amid lingering fear. “In case something happens, they will carry the body using a tora-tora,” said local woman Margarita Mulle tearfully, referring to a hand tractor cart used in rural funerals.
The disaster comes just days after a 6.9-magnitude quake in Cebu killed 75 people and destroyed over 70,000 homes, underscoring the Philippines’ vulnerability along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.” The archipelago, crisscrossed by major geologic faults, experiences daily seismic activity, a constant reminder of its perilous geography. As rescue crews continue to assess the damage and provide relief, Mindanao’s weary residents brace for more aftershocks — and the long, uncertain task of rebuilding shattered lives.