A powerful offshore earthquake measuring magnitude 7.8 struck the southern Philippines early Monday, killing at least four people, injuring more than 200 others, and causing widespread damage in parts of Mindanao while also triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
The quake hit at 7:37 a.m. local time and was centred at sea about 13 kilometres southwest of General Santos, a major city of more than 700,000 residents known for its tuna industry and commercial activity.
Authorities said the tremor damaged buildings and a key bridge in the city, with several structures showing serious cracks. The international airport in General Santos was temporarily closed, leading to the cancellation of multiple domestic flights.
At least three people were reported killed and around 130 injured in General Santos alone, according to regional disaster officials. Another fatality was confirmed in Davao Oriental province, the health department said. Officials warned that the casualty figures could rise as assessments continue.
Tsunami waves of around one metre (three feet) were recorded in parts of the southern Philippines, including coastal areas of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. Smaller sea disturbances were also detected in nearby provinces.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially warned that waves of up to three metres were possible along some Philippine coastlines, while Indonesia and Malaysia were also placed under tsunami alerts. An 83-centimetre wave was later measured off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island.
Indonesian and Malaysian authorities issued coastal warnings, while Japan, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific regions monitored potential sea level changes. Some alerts, including one for Guam, were later lifted after no further threat was detected.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged residents in coastal and low-lying areas to move immediately to higher ground and assured that emergency response teams were on standby.
Disaster officials said numerous aftershocks followed the main quake, some reaching magnitude 6.5, causing further alarm among residents. Schools in affected areas reported panic evacuations, with more than 100 students fainting or sustaining minor injuries during morning assemblies.
Officials from the Office of Civil Defence said some small buildings partially collapsed in General Santos, while debris fell from several structures. A local radio station also reported partial damage to a commercial building, though no additional casualties were confirmed at that site.
The earthquake was caused by movement along the Cotabato Trench at a shallow depth, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Experts described it as a major seismic event with significant aftershock potential.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. The archipelago also regularly experiences tropical storms and typhoons throughout the year.
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