At least 19 people have died following a magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck the southern Philippines. The quake hit off the coast of Mindanao island on Monday. Officials confirmed the death toll after the seismic event.
The earthquake caused significant damage. Buildings collapsed across several provinces. At least 134 people suffered injuries. These included areas like South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat. The city of General Santos also reported casualties.
This event underscores the Philippines' location on the geologically active "ring of fire". This area experiences frequent seismic activity. Many quakes do little damage. However, some previous earthquakes have been deadly. In September 2026, a magnitude-6.9 quake killed over 70 people.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated that national agencies are working together. He promised the government would support affected regions. Classes were suspended in many areas. The quake struck on the first day of the school year.
The powerful tremor triggered tsunami alerts. These warnings were issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia. Some alerts were later cancelled. Small tsunami waves were observed. These reached shores in Japan and other coastal areas. Wave heights varied from a few centimetres to 1.4 metres.
Over 130 aftershocks followed the main quake. These ranged in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7. Power and communication lines were temporarily disrupted. These services were later restored in Sarangani province. General Santos is a major tuna fishing hub.
The country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will provide official figures. These numbers usually emerge a day after incidents. They consolidate data from police and local relief groups. The government is coordinating immediate disaster response efforts.
This earthquake may affect local economies. Damage to infrastructure could disrupt trade. The cost of recovery and rebuilding will be substantial. Future geological monitoring and preparedness strategies are crucial.