Key facts
- A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
- Tsunami warnings were issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System.
- Residents in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground.
- Initial reports indicate some injuries and property damage.
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr stated that national government authorities are coordinating disaster response.
- The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km.
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. Philippine police later reported at least three dead and four injured.