A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings for the Philippines and Indonesia. Residents in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground. Initial reports indicate some injuries and property damage, but no immediate deaths.
The earthquake and subsequent tsunami warnings pose a significant risk to coastal populations in the Philippines and Indonesia, potentially causing widespread damage, injuries, and disruption.
A strong magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings across the region. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also issued alerts, advising people in coastal areas to seek higher ground. Initial reports from General Santos, near the epicentre, described falling furniture and damage to appliances, with aftershocks felt and people evacuating their homes. In Sarangani province, power and telecommunications were down, and school classes were suspended as authorities assessed damage.
The Philippines and Indonesia are situated on the seismically active "Pacific Ring of Fire," experiencing numerous earthquakes annually. Phivolcs, the Philippine seismological agency, warned of potential tsunami waves exceeding one meter, while Indonesia's geophysics agency, BKMG, reported smaller detected waves. Witnesses in both countries confirmed feeling the strong tremors. While a police building in Alabel town sustained cracks and a shrine collapsed, and a bridge in Maasim town suffered cracks, no collapsed buildings or fatalities were immediately reported. Water levels near the coast reportedly receded shortly after the quake, but the seas were otherwise normal. Authorities are verifying reports of at least five deaths in General Santos.