Deadly 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines, Tsunami Threat Now Present – Photos and Videos
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Mindanao region in the southern Philippines. At least 15 people have died and over a hundred were injured, with a tsunami warning also issued.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremors occurred on Monday around 07:37 local time. The epicenter was located near the southern coast of Mindanao island, close to the city of General Santos in Sarangani province. The depth was about 35 kilometers, reports CNN.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolc) confirmed that the earthquake was felt in various parts of the archipelago, causing panic, building damage, and infrastructure disruptions.
According to the Civil Defense Office, at least 15 deaths have been confirmed. Rescue services continue to verify information about other possible victims and the extent of the damage.
In the city of General Santos, home to about 720,000 people, partial building collapses and damage to commercial establishments were recorded. Local services shared videos showing destroyed shops and damaged structures following the tremors.
The earthquake occurred at the start of the new school year in public schools. Social media circulated footage of elementary school students in Davao Occidental province evacuating outdoors and crouching for safety during strong ground shaking. In other cases, a school campus roof collapsed in Davao del Sur, but no injuries were reported.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that he has instructed all relevant government agencies to immediately begin evacuations and rescue operations.
He also urged residents of affected areas to heed tsunami warnings and move immediately to higher ground, emphasizing the importance of not delaying.
Alabel city police chief in Sarangani province, Benjie Ancheta, reported cracks appeared in the police building after the earthquake. He said some people fainted due to the intensity of the tremors, but no fatalities have been reported in the city so far. He also noted that this was the strongest earthquake he has ever experienced.
A tsunami warning was issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan following the tremors. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later reported that the main threat had passed after about five hours but urged the public to remain alert due to possible sea level fluctuations and to follow local authorities' instructions.
The Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan are located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire—a fault zone where earthquakes and volcanic activity frequently occur.
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