Philippine authorities report at least 19 deaths and 134 injuries. A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao Island, causing numerous buildings and homes to collapse. Philippine officials have mobilized agencies to urgently assist victims. Over 138 aftershocks occurred in the two hours following the initial quake, with the strongest measuring 6.7.
Philippine disaster relief officials stated that the death toll from the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the country's south has risen to at least 19, with over 134 injured. Rodrigo Sosmena, regional civil defense director, reported 12 fatalities in the Soccsksargen region on Mindanao Island, and an additional three deaths in Davao Occidental province.
According to the United States Geological Survey, more than 138 aftershocks occurred continuously for about two hours after the initial earthquake, with the strongest measuring 6.7 magnitude.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a statement warning of possible tsunami waves "within the next three hours" along the coastlines of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported tsunami waves detected in six areas of Mindanao Island between 07:42 and 08:45 local time. The highest recorded wave reached 1.4 meters. The agency stated that tsunami warnings for the Philippines remain in effect.
The earthquake occurred at 07:37 local time on Monday, registering a magnitude of 7.8 with its epicenter offshore the southern city of Maasim in Sarangani province on Mindanao Island, at a depth of about 10 kilometers. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) classified the shaking as intensity 7, indicating "highly destructive" effects.
General Santos City police revealed that the tremors caused several buildings and homes to collapse. Rescue teams are racing against time to assist those who may be trapped under the rubble.
Meanwhile, videos shared online show a shopping mall with a fast-food restaurant collapsing into debris, alongside a local educational institution's building that also crumbled amid screams of shock from witnesses exclaiming, "Oh my God! It's collapsing! The building is really falling down!"
This event coincided with 8 June, the first day of the school term for public schools in the Philippines.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an urgent directive for all government agencies to expedite aid to disaster victims and ordered suspension of classes at all levels in affected areas of Mindanao until further notice. He also addressed citizens in impacted provinces, urging them to "heed tsunami warnings and evacuate to higher ground immediately. Do not delay; your life is more valuable than any belongings left behind."
Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that structural engineers have been deployed alongside regional teams to promptly assess the safety of affected school buildings.
Beyond the Philippines, the earthquake also affected neighboring countries. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) issued tsunami warnings and ordered evacuations in high-risk northern areas such as Manado city, Gorontalo province, and Sangihe Islands. However, after four and a half hours, the Indonesian government lifted the warnings. Reports indicated small tsunami waves hitting nine locations, with the highest measuring 0.75 meters on Sangihe Island.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Meteorological Agency declared tsunami watch and warnings along its Pacific Ocean coastline, forecasting waves up to about one meter to arrive at various locations starting from 11:30 a.m. local time.
The Philippines and Indonesia lie along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a highly active seismic fault line prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Indonesia experienced a devastating 9.1-magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Aceh province in 2004, which claimed over 170,000 lives.