Mindanao, Philippines — A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, leaving several people dead, damaging buildings, and triggering widespread panic across parts of the archipelago.
According to the United States Geological Survey (United States Geological Survey), the quake hit the Mindanao region at around 07:37 a.m. local time at a depth of approximately 35 kilometers (21.7 miles).
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) said the epicenter was located offshore near General Santos City in Sarangani province, at the southern tip of Mindanao.
Deaths Reported as Rescue Efforts Continue
The Office of Civil Defense confirmed that several deaths have already been reported, though authorities are still verifying additional casualties as emergency response teams continue search and rescue operations in affected areas.
Photos and videos from General Santos City, a coastal urban center of about 720,000 residents, showed collapsed structures and damaged storefronts in the aftermath of the quake.
Schools Evacuated Amid Tremors
The earthquake struck just as public schools were beginning the new academic year, forcing mass evacuations.
Social media footage showed terrified students running out of classrooms as buildings swayed violently in provinces including Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur. In one incident, a high school roof collapsed while students were gathered outside, though no injuries were immediately reported.
Government Response and Tsunami Warnings
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an immediate nationwide response, directing all relevant agencies to carry out evacuations and rescue operations.
He also urged residents in affected coastal areas to move to higher ground due to tsunami warnings issued shortly after the quake.
“Tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” the president said, stressing the urgency of the situation.
Tsunami alerts were also briefly issued by Indonesia and Japan, reflecting the wide impact zone of the seismic event across the Pacific region.
Aftermath and Ongoing Assessment
Local police in Alabel town reported structural damage, including cracks in government buildings, and noted that several people fainted during the strong tremor.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said the immediate tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the earthquake, though it cautioned residents to remain alert due to possible sea-level fluctuations.
No tsunami threat was detected in Hawaii, according to the National Weather Service.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic zone where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are frequent due to shifting tectonic plates.
Authorities say assessment and recovery operations are ongoing as the country works to account for the full scale of the disaster.
