At least 12 people were killed and more than 200 injured after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, triggering tsunami waves and causing widespread damage across parts of Mindanao.
The offshore quake occurred at about 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located southwest of Maasim in Sarangani Province at a depth of 33 kilometres, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS).
Authorities said the tremor caused extensive destruction in General Santos City, a major commercial centre and one of the country’s leading tuna-export hubs. Seven of the fatalities were recorded in the city, where several buildings partially collapsed and critical infrastructure, including a major bridge, sustained significant damage. More than 130 people were injured.
Five additional deaths were reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island, bringing the overall death toll to 12.
“It’s a major earthquake, and we’re expecting damage, and we’ve already seen some damaged buildings based on videos we’ve seen,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said.
Emergency responders were investigating reports that several students may have been trapped in a collapsed two-storey school building in General Santos. Police also reported at least seven people missing.
The earthquake struck on the same day schools across the country resumed classes following the summer break. Officials said more than 100 students suffered minor injuries or fainted amid the panic.
Regional disaster chief Rod Sosmeña said residents rushed into the streets as the ground shook.
“Our pickup truck suddenly jerked, and I thought we had a flat tire,” he said. “People dashed out of houses into the streets.”
In Davao, local official Ednar Dayanghirang described the shaking as so intense that he struggled to remain standing.
“I could hardly stand and keep my balance when the ground shook as I was leaving my house,” he said.
The disaster also disrupted transportation, with authorities temporarily shutting down General Santos International Airport for inspections. At least 17 domestic flights were cancelled.
Tsunami waves of up to one metre were recorded in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces, while smaller waves were detected in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia. Regional warnings were issued before the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later announced that the threat had largely passed.
Officials said there were no immediate reports of deaths or major damage linked to the tsunami.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured affected communities of federal assistance.
“The national government is moving, and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” he said.
Emergency teams continued damage assessments and rescue operations as aftershocks persisted across the region.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it one of the world’s most seismically active and disaster-prone countries.
