At Least 19 Dead After 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines

This Week

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, 8 June, killing at least 19 people.

The quake triggered tsunami warnings across the region and damaged buildings and infrastructure.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council continues to consolidate casualty figures, while local reports indicate that at least 134 people suffered injuries across South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City. Emergency responders continued rescue operations, searching damaged structures and assessing affected communities.

The earthquake struck at 7:37 AM local time, with its epicenter off the coast of Sarangani province near General Santos City. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded more than 130 aftershocks after the initial tremor, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7, and warned residents to expect continued seismic activity.

Footage and images from affected areas showed several buildings reduced to rubble, including commercial establishments in General Santos City. In Davao Occidental province, videos from a primary school showed students sheltering on the ground as a corrugated-roof structure collapsed nearby, although the school reported no injuries.

Authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia issued tsunami warnings in the hours after the quake. Monitoring agencies detected waves of up to 1.4 meters along parts of the Philippine and Indonesian coastlines, while sensors recorded smaller waves as far away as Okinawa and the Ogasawara Islands in Japan. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said the tsunami threat had largely subsided but advised coastal residents to remain vigilant.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said government agencies were coordinating disaster response efforts and ordered schools in affected areas to suspend classes, coinciding with the first day of the school year.

Authorities advised residents to avoid damaged structures and follow guidance from local disaster management officials while inspections and relief operations continued.

Latest article