A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines early on Monday, leaving at least 37 people dead and hundreds injured. The quake, which hit about 20km off the coast of Sarangani province, caused buildings to collapse and triggered tsunami alerts that were later cancelled.
Civil defence officials reported 37 confirmed deaths, 479 injuries, and four missing across Mindanao, primarily due to falling debris and landslides. Around 88,000 people were affected, with 20,690 displaced. Authorities urged residents not to enter damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
Video footage verified by the Guardian showed the upper floor of a Jollibee restaurant collapsing in General Santos City, near the epicentre, as well as the outer walls of a commercial complex giving way. In Davao del Sur, part of a high school collapsed as students gathered outside. Power outages were reported, and people were advised to move to higher ground.
The Philippine Red Cross reported damage to multiple hospitals, forcing some injured patients to receive treatment in tents. The quake struck at 7.37am local time, with its epicentre 13km south-west of General Santos City and a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The US Geological Survey recorded the magnitude as 7.8 with a depth of 34 miles.
Tsunami warnings for the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia, and Malaysia's Sabah state were lifted after more than six hours. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said evacuation centres were operational and pledged government support for Mindanao. Schools in affected areas were suspended, with Marcos stating, 'The safety of our children comes first.'
The Philippines, located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' is frequently hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, as well as about 20 typhoons annually. The quake occurred as public schools reopened for the new academic year, with panic captured on video at a school in Davao.
