Key facts
- A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
- At least 32 people are feared dead and 134 injured.
- Tsunami warnings were issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but have since been cancelled.
- Damage to buildings, utilities, and infrastructure is being assessed, with significant destruction in General Santos City.
- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered immediate disaster response and relief efforts, including preparing relief supplies and evacuation centers.
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, causing significant damage and resulting in at least 32 deaths and 134 injuries. The tremors were felt strongly across Mindanao and as far as Manado, Indonesia. Residents in General Santos City, one of the worst-affected areas, described intense fear and experienced building collapses, with one incident captured on video. The earthquake occurred as schools were returning from a break. The Philippines has mobilized military and disaster response teams, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordering immediate relief supplies and evacuation centers to be prepared. Tsunami warnings were issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, but were later cancelled after several hours. Minor damage was reported in Indonesia, with some residents moving to higher ground. Japan's meteorological agency observed a small tsunami and issued advisories. Damage to buildings, utilities, and infrastructure is still being assessed, with ongoing aftershocks hindering structural assessments in some areas. Over 200 aftershocks were recorded, including one at magnitude 6.7. One hospital was evacuated due to concerns about cracks, and a university building collapsed but was empty at the time.