Just two weeks after 74 people were killed by a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines, a stronger 7.4 tremor struck parts of the country at 9.43am local time on Friday October 10.
Buildings have been damaged and two fatalities have been reported so far, and first response teams have been deployed. Tsunami warnings have been issued, but some places in the affected region have since lifted them, and flights remain largely unaffected.
However, it’s still concerning news if you’re due to travel to the region soon, so here is everything you need to know about safety and visiting the Philippines right now.
Where did the earthquake hit in the Philippines?
The epicentre of the earthquake was reportedly 62km southeast of Manay town in Davao Oriental province at a shallow depth of 10km, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Is there a tsunami warning?
Within 300km of the epicentre, warnings of waves up to three metres higher than normal tides were issued, which extended to parts of the Philippines as well as Indonesia and Palau. The tsunami warning has since been lifted.
Is it safe to travel?
People were urged to ‘immediately evacuate to higher grounds until further notice’ by Civil Defence official Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, and those with boats in harbours and in coastal areas were told to ‘move away from waterfronts’, according to the Independent.
Two people have reportedly been killed by the quake so far, both apparently from Mati City in Davao Oriental province, and the Filipino armed forces have deployed disaster response teams to the affected regions.
Lots of damage to buildings has been reported, including to a hospital from which 250 patients were evacuated, and an international airport in Davao City, though this has remained in operation since the earthquake.
Overall, travellers should proceed with caution. Though the tsunami warning has been lifted, there is still the chance of aftershocks.
Are flights still running to and from the Philippines after the earthquake?
There are no reports of the earthquake having a large impact on flights to and from the Philippines, but check directly with your airline if you’re due to travel soon.
What’s the latest advice from the FCDO?
The FCDO updated its Philippines travel advice page after this morning’s earthquake. It reads: ‘On 10 October 2025, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Mindanao. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System initially issued a tsunami threat in a coastal area within 300km of the epicentre. Authorities have now lifted the tsunami warning, however aftershocks may still occur and damage assessments are ongoing.’
‘If you are in the affected area: follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services; be aware of the risk of aftershocks; avoid damaged buildings and infrastructure; monitor local media and official sources for updates.
‘If you are planning to travel to Mindanao: contact your travel provider for updates; ensure your travel insurance covers natural disasters; stay informed via the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).’
Separately, the advice page includes a map detailing where all travel is advised against in the Philippines, which includes western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. You can examine that in more detail on the FDCO website.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
This depends on your travel provider and insurance policy. Because travelling to the Philippines has not been officially advised against, you won’t automatically be entitled to a refund. Should you choose not to travel or to postpone, companies are under no obligation to let you do so without a penalty.
When was the last earthquake in the Philippines?
It was just two weeks ago on September 30 that a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, tragically killing 74 people and displacing thousands more.
The archipelago sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences around 800 earthquakes each year, but today’s shock is the strongest to hit the country since a 7.8 magnitude tremor back in 1990.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world.
