A devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck the Mindanao region in the southern Philippines on Monday, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 200 others injured, according to official reports.
Earthquake Details
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake hit at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of about 35 kilometers, describing the tremors as "notable." The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed that the quake struck off the shores near General Santos City in Sarangani Province, located at the southernmost tip of Mindanao island.
Tsunami Warnings Issued
The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan, as reported by the BBC. Limited waves ranging from a few centimeters to 1.4 meters were observed. Tsunami warnings were also initially issued for Australia and New Zealand but were later lifted. The affected nations are part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Monday's earthquake follows a deadly quake last year in the Philippines, which was considered the deadliest in over a decade, killing at least 74 people on the island of Cebu.
Impact and Response
Images circulating on social media from General Santos City, home to approximately 720,000 people, showed collapsed buildings, including a Jollibee fast food restaurant, with layers of concrete piled on top of each other. Video footage from Mahayhay Elementary School in Davao captured students scrambling for safety during a morning flag ceremony.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that evacuation centers were prepared and operational when the earthquake struck. He directed government agencies to evacuate residents, initiate rescue operations, and assess the damage. The president also ordered the closure of schools in affected areas until further notice, emphasizing that "the safety of our children comes first."
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to locate survivors and provide aid to those affected by the disaster.
