A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, claiming the lives of at least 35 individuals and injuring over 200 others. The offshore quake, centered off the coast of Mindanao at a depth of approximately 33 kilometers, unleashed widespread destruction. Particularly hard-hit was the city of General Santos, where numerous buildings either collapsed or sustained significant structural damage. Rescue teams have been tirelessly working to find and extract people trapped under the debris.
The earthquake also triggered a deadly landslide in Sarangani province, resulting in the deaths of 13 residents. Other fatalities occurred in nearby provinces due to the collapse of buildings and falling debris. Additionally, tsunami waves as high as 1.4 meters hit parts of the southern coast, causing further damage to homes and coastal infrastructure. The seismic event’s impact was felt beyond the Philippines, with smaller tsunami waves detected in Indonesia, Palau, and Japan. Authorities eventually lifted tsunami warnings after the immediate danger subsided.
As a safety precaution, General Santos International Airport was temporarily closed, leading to the cancellation of several domestic flights. Schools in the affected areas were also shut down as emergency teams evaluated the extent of the damage and coordinated relief efforts. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for a swift government response, instructing disaster management agencies to provide assistance to the impacted communities.
Officials have cautioned residents to stay vigilant due to the potential for aftershocks and have advised against returning to damaged buildings until they have been deemed safe by inspectors. The Philippines is no stranger to such seismic events, situated as it is along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone renowned for its frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.