The death toll from the powerful earthquake in the Philippines has risen to at least 35, with hundreds more injured. Reports indicate that tsunami waves caused damage in one coastal village.
Foreign news agencies reported that the death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the southern Philippines on Monday, 8 Jun 2026 GMT+7, has risen to at least 35. Additionally, 134 people have been injured, and 12 remain missing.
The earthquake occurred offshore near Mindanao Island in southern Philippines, causing many buildings to collapse and damaging key infrastructure in the city of General Santos.
There are also reports of tsunami damage in at least one coastal village, while smaller waves were detected in Indonesia, Palau, and as far as southern Japan.
Following the offshore earthquake near the southern port city of General Santos, which has a population of about 720,000, Philippine authorities urged residents in affected coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground in case of subsequent tsunami waves.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported several strong aftershocks in the area within about two hours after the initial quake, with the strongest aftershock measuring 6.5 magnitude.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an immediate disaster response on Mindanao Island, instructing agencies to prepare relief packages, set up evacuation centers, and be ready for potential rescue operations.
“The federal government is acting swiftly, and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” the President said in a statement.
Earlier, the U.S. tsunami warning system had alerted that multiple countries might be affected, while Australia initially warned of possible tsunami risks along its northern coast.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning, reporting waves of 0.2 meters or less, which disrupted some ferry services and prompted beach closures for safety monitoring.
Meanwhile, tsunami waves measuring 0.75 meters were detected in parts of North Sulawesi province, Indonesia, prompting residents to evacuate to safer areas, including communities on the remote Sangihe Islands, which lie closest to the Philippines.
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Source:cna