DAVAO, Philippines – A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 in magnitude struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, leaving widespread destruction across several provinces and killing at least 35 people. Hundreds more were injured as buildings crumbled, debris rained onto streets, and a tsunami reached sections of the coastline following the offshore tremor.
Authorities said the earthquake, which occurred beneath the sea near Mindanao island, was among the strongest seismic events to hit the country this year. Emergency teams rushed into affected communities as hospitals treated the injured and rescue workers searched damaged structures for people feared trapped beneath rubble.
The disaster disrupted transportation, forced class cancellations, damaged homes and businesses, and sent thousands of residents rushing outdoors in fear as aftershocks continued to shake the region.
Death Toll Rises as Buildings Collapse and Landslide Hits Villages
Officials reported that many casualties occurred when structures gave way under intense shaking. General Santos City, one of the largest urban centers in southern Philippines, experienced some of the most severe damage. Several low-rise buildings collapsed entirely, while others suffered serious structural damage.
Search and rescue crews moved through affected areas attempting to locate survivors believed trapped inside damaged establishments, including a supermarket, warehouse facilities, schools, and other commercial structures. Authorities said at least four individuals remained missing in General Santos as rescue operations continued.
A deadly landslide also added to the devastation. In Sarangani province, local disaster mitigation official Rene Punzalan told DZBB radio that 13 residents died after earth and debris swept through a community in Glan municipality. Additional deaths in the province were also confirmed.
Emergency officials stated that most fatalities outside the landslide zone resulted from collapsing structures and falling debris. Deaths were reported from several southern provinces, including South Cotabato and Davao Occidental. A damaged mosque was among the sites where casualties were recorded. Reports also indicated deaths on Balut Island.
Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, recalled the frightening moments when the earthquake struck. He said he was traveling through General Santos when the ground began moving violently.
“Our pickup truck suddenly jerked and I thought we had a flat tire,” Sosmeña said while describing the incident.
He said the shaking intensified rapidly and caused people to rush from homes and buildings into streets in search of safety.
The earthquake struck at approximately 7:37 a.m., creating panic across communities already beginning normal weekday activities.
In Davao Occidental province, the first day of classes after a two-month summer break quickly transformed into a frightening experience for students and teachers.
Rosavel Cachuela, principal of a grade school in the town of Malita, described the tense moments as hundreds of students and school staff gathered for a flag-raising ceremony when the earth suddenly shook.
“Their excitement on the first day of school turned to trauma,” Cachuela said.
According to school officials, many younger students cried and screamed as panic spread. Others remained seated while teachers attempted to keep order and prevent injuries. No students were hurt during the incident, although a nearby structure collapsed and damaged a motorcycle.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that General Santos International Airport was temporarily shut down for safety assessments following the quake. Authorities said 17 domestic flights were canceled because of operational disruptions.
Tsunami Warnings Issued and Emergency Response Intensifies
Seismic experts said the earthquake originated offshore near Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island by population.
Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said the epicenter was located roughly 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province at a depth of about 33 kilometers beneath the seabed.
Bacolcol warned residents against returning immediately to damaged homes and buildings because aftershocks could weaken structures further and trigger additional collapses.
The earthquake generated tsunami concerns across several nearby coastlines. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued warnings as waves moved through regional waters. Philippine authorities later stated that the tsunami threat had largely diminished several hours after the quake.
Still, measurable wave activity reached several coastal communities.
Officials recorded tsunami waves reaching approximately one meter, or about three feet, in parts of Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces. Bacolcol said a wave measuring around 1.4 meters was also observed in Kiamba town.
In Zamboanga del Sur province, local authorities reported that six stilt-supported homes near the coast suffered damage after larger waves struck the shoreline.
The effects of the earthquake were not limited to the Philippines. Seismic activity and smaller tsunami waves were also detected in neighboring countries and territories.
Authorities monitoring regional waters recorded waves off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island measuring roughly 83 centimeters. Smaller wave activity was also observed in Palau and portions of Japan, including Chichijima and Kushimoto.
The tremor was likewise felt in Sabah state in Malaysia, which lies relatively close to the southern Philippines.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded by directing national agencies to mobilize resources and provide immediate assistance to affected regions. He also ordered the suspension of classes in impacted areas while damage assessments continued.
“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos said in a statement.
The United States indicated that it was coordinating with Philippine authorities and remained prepared to assist response operations if needed. Other countries, including France, Japan, and New Zealand, also expressed support.
The Philippines regularly experiences seismic activity because of its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic events. The country also faces repeated weather disasters each year, including powerful typhoons and tropical storms, making it one of the world’s most disaster-vulnerable nations.
As rescue efforts continue and authorities assess the full extent of destruction, many communities in southern Philippines are now facing the difficult task of recovery after one of the strongest earthquakes to strike the country in recent years.