A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines early Monday, leaving at least 37 people dead and hundreds injured, according to civil defence officials. The quake hit about 20km off the coast of Sarangani province on Mindanao island, triggering tsunami warnings that were later cancelled after more than six hours.
Authorities reported 479 injured and four missing across Mindanao, mostly from falling debris and landslides. Around 88,000 people were affected, including 20,690 displaced. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the epicentre 13km south-west of General Santos City, at a depth of 6.2 miles. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 7.8 with a depth of 34 miles.
Video footage verified by the Guardian showed the collapse of the upper floor of a Jollibee restaurant and outer concrete walls of a commercial complex in General Santos City. In Davao del Sur, part of a high school collapsed as students gathered outside. Power outages were reported, and people were urged to go to higher ground. Multiple hospitals were damaged, forcing medical treatment in makeshift tents, according to Philippines Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon.
Tsunami warnings were issued for the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia, and the Malaysian state of Sabah, but were later lifted. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said evacuation centres were ready and operational, adding, “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind.” He also ordered the suspension of schools in affected areas until further notice.
The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The quake struck as public schools reopened for the new academic year, with panicked pupils seen scrambling for safety in a video from Mahayhay elementary school in Davao. The Philippines Red Cross reported supporting students traumatised by the quake at three high schools.
