Key facts
- A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines.
- At least 37 people have died and hundreds are injured.
- Rescuers are searching for two people trapped in a collapsed building in General Santos.
- The quake triggered tsunami warnings across several countries.
- Thousands of schools sustained minor to severe damage.
- The Philippines experiences hundreds of earthquakes annually due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.
Rescuers are continuing their search for survivors in the southern Philippines following a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck early Monday morning. The quake, which hit off the coast of Sarangani province, has resulted in at least 37 confirmed deaths and hundreds of injuries, with General Santos being the hardest-hit city. In General Santos, a commercial building housing a grocery store and other businesses collapsed, and rescue teams are working to reach two individuals still believed to be trapped inside. Two people were rescued alive from the rubble, but a third was found dead, and scanners have detected no further signs of life.
The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across several countries, with tremors felt as far as Manado, Indonesia. Thousands of residents are affected, with many buildings collapsed and debris strewn across streets. General Santos has been placed under a state of calamity. Schools remain closed as authorities assess damage, with thousands of school buildings sustaining minor to severe damage. The Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.