At least 32 people were killed and 129 others injured after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Monday, according to officials, as authorities continued rescue and relief operations in the affected region.
The earthquake hit at 7:37 a.m. local time off the coast of General Santos City on Mindanao, the country’s main southern island. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres.
According to the BBC, officials from the Philippine Office of Civil Defense confirmed that the death toll had risen to 15. Rodrigo Sosmeña, director of the local civil defence office, said 12 of the fatalities were reported in the Soccsksargen region, which comprises South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.
The BBC reported that at least 129 people were injured in the region, while videos and photographs circulating on social media showed extensive damage, including the collapse of buildings. Footage showed a Jollibee fast-food restaurant crumbling to the ground during the tremor.
The quake triggered tsunami warnings across several countries in the region, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia. Most of the warnings were later lifted. According to the BBC, tsunami waves ranging from three centimetres to 0.8 metres were recorded in parts of Palau, Indonesia and the Philippine region of Davao, citing data from the US Geological Survey.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he had directed all relevant government agencies to respond immediately to the disaster. Urging residents in vulnerable coastal areas to seek safety, Marcos warned: “Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.”
The BBC reported that authorities ordered residents in affected coastal communities to move to higher ground as a precaution against possible tsunami waves.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office issued safety guidance for the Mindanao region, advising people in affected areas to follow local authorities’ instructions and avoid damaged buildings. It also urged travellers planning to visit Mindanao to check with travel providers and ensure their insurance covers natural disasters.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said 138 aftershocks had been recorded by 11:00 a.m. local time, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.7, raising concerns about further structural damage in already affected communities.
Emergency responders continued search, rescue and assessment operations across the region as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the devastation.
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