A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least 19 people, injuring more than 200 others, and prompting tsunami warnings across parts of the Philippines and Indonesia.
The quake, the strongest to hit the Philippines this year, struck near the southern tip of Mindanao at 7:37 a.m. local time. Authorities immediately launched rescue operations as reports of collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and trapped victims began to emerge.
Death Toll Rises As Rescue Efforts Continue
Officials said at least 19 people lost their lives following the powerful tremor.
Seven of those deaths were reported in General Santos, a city of more than 700,000 residents located near the epicenter. Around 130 people were injured there alone.
Video footage from the city captured the dramatic collapse of a small building as residents rushed to safety. Emergency crews have also been investigating reports that students may be trapped inside a collapsed school building.
Elsewhere, fatalities were linked to falling debris, a damaged mosque, and a landslide that struck communities in Sarangani, South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Balut Island.
Tsunami Warnings Issued Across The Region
The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts in both the Philippines and Indonesia, prompting officials to advise residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move inland or seek higher ground.
Despite initial concerns, the tsunami impact appeared limited.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the largest wave recorded in the Philippines reached 1.4 meters. Authorities reported no casualties or significant damage caused by the tsunami itself.
Several hours later, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that the danger had largely subsided.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., widely known as Bongbong Marcos, urged citizens to follow official warnings and evacuation orders as emergency assessments continued.
Strongest Quake To Hit The Philippines This Year
Both Phivolcs and the United States Geological Survey measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.8.
The quake struck at a depth of approximately 20 miles (33 kilometers) beneath the surface and originated just off the southern coast of Mindanao, roughly 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos.
A series of aftershocks followed the main event, raising concerns about additional structural damage and further risks to affected communities.
“It’s a major earthquake and we’re expecting damages and we’ve already some damaged buildings based on videos we’ve seen,” said Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol.
Authorities continued inspecting buildings, roads, schools, and public facilities throughout the region as aftershocks rattled residents.
Residents Describe Powerful Shaking
The force of the earthquake was felt across large portions of Mindanao, with many residents fleeing homes, schools, and businesses as buildings shook.
Meanwhile, a police chief in Mindanao’s Sarangani province told Reuters it was the “strongest earthquake we’ve experienced”.
The earthquake was also felt in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. However, Indonesian disaster officials reported no immediate signs of significant damage.
Ring Of Fire Remains A Constant Threat
The Philippines and Indonesia sit along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast zone of intense seismic and volcanic activity stretching roughly 25,000 miles around the Pacific Ocean.
As a result, both countries experience frequent earthquakes every year, ranging from minor tremors to major destructive events.
Monday’s disaster serves as another reminder of the region’s vulnerability to powerful seismic activity and the importance of rapid emergency response systems.