MANILA: A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao today, triggering tsunami warnings across the Philippines, Indonesia and parts of the Pacific monitoring network, with residents urged to move to higher ground.
Authorities confirmed at least one death, while assessments of damage and injuries are still ongoing. No major structural destruction has been reported so far, but emergency teams remain on high alert amid continuing aftershocks.
Local radio stations in General Santos, located near the epicenter, reported falling furniture, damaged appliances and widespread panic, as residents rushed out of homes following the tremors. Disaster officials said some injuries had been reported while evaluations were underway.
In Sarangani province, power and communication lines were disrupted and schools were suspended as a precaution. Officials said several coastal communities have begun evacuations after tsunami alerts were issued, with warnings of waves exceeding one metre in some areas.
Read More: 6.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Baculin, Philippines
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the government was rapidly coordinating disaster response efforts, assuring that support was being mobilised for affected regions.
The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometres, according to geophysical data, with varying magnitude readings reported by different monitoring agencies. The region lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active seismic zone frequently hit by earthquakes.
Indonesia’s disaster agency reported minor sea-level changes, while authorities confirmed no major damage so far in affected Indonesian coastal areas.
Officials in the Philippines said cracks were observed in some buildings, including a police facility in Sarangani, while isolated structural damage, including a collapsed shrine and a cracked bridge, has also been reported.
Emergency operations and evacuation efforts are ongoing as authorities continue to monitor the situation for possible tsunami activity and further seismic aftershocks.
