7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines

A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippines, leading to reports of collapsed buildings and at least one confirmed death.

The quake, which originated south of Mindanao, severely affected areas in Sarangani province, particularly the city of General Santos, home to over 700,000 residents.

The United States Geological Survey indicated that around 15 million people experienced moderate to severe shaking. The Associated Press reported 35 fatalities and over 200 injuries, but these figures may change as more information becomes available.

Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated on X, “A strong earthquake has struck off the coast of Sarangani this morning, and a tsunami warning is now in effect across several coastal provinces in Mindanao.”

Marcos announced class suspensions in affected areas and urged citizens to heed the tsunami warnings.

“To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” he emphasized.

Tsunami warnings were declared for nearby coastal regions, with waves reported to reach about one meter, or roughly 3 feet, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).

PHIVOLCS also noted that 138 aftershocks followed, ranging from 1.3 to 6.7 magnitude. These aftershocks can persist for days, or even weeks.

The Associated Press shared that various low-rise buildings in General Santos faced collapse or substantial damage, with tsunami-related damage reported in at least one coastal village. Additionally, Rene Punzalan, a local disaster-mitigation official, mentioned to radio network DZBB that a landslide in Glan, Sarangani province, resulted in 13 fatalities, with four more deaths occurring elsewhere in the province.