Strong 7.8 Quake in Philippines Leaves Multiple Dead, Triggers Pacific Tsunami Alerts
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines on Monday morning, leaving multiple people dead and setting off tsunami warnings across several countries in the Pacific region.
The quake hit near Sarangani province in Mindanao at a shallow depth, shaking buildings violently and forcing residents into the streets as structures collapsed in parts of General Santos City and surrounding areas.
Emergency authorities confirmed deaths across several locations, including Davao Occidental, South Cotabato and General Santos, while rescue teams continued operations amid fears that more victims could still be trapped under rubble.
A second earthquake measuring 6.1 struck hours later, intensifying panic and complicating ongoing rescue and evacuation efforts in already affected communities.
Early reports from geological agencies, including the United States Geological Survey, placed the quake at varying magnitudes, reflecting ongoing analysis as more seismic data was processed.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for several countries, warning that waves could reach coastal areas of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea within hours. In some locations, wave heights of more than three metres were possible.
Authorities ordered immediate evacuations in vulnerable coastal communities, urging residents to move to higher ground without delay as a precaution against potential tsunami impact.
Transport services were disrupted in parts of the southern Philippines, including the suspension of flights at General Santos International Airport and the closure of schools in affected provinces.
President Ferdinand Marcos urged residents to remain calm but act quickly, stressing that safety must come before all other concerns as emergency operations continued.
The Philippines, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations, frequently exposed to strong seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.
Japan and other Pacific nations also issued tsunami advisories, warning of possible wave activity as monitoring agencies tracked the situation across the region.
