Manila, June 8: At least five people have been reported dead after a powerful 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, triggering tsunami warnings and causing widespread concern across several coastal provinces.
According to Agripino Dacera, disaster management chief of General Santos City, authorities are continuing to verify the full extent of casualties and damage caused by the quake. Initial reports indicate that several buildings sustained damage, while power outages were reported in affected areas.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of 33 kilometres. The epicentre was located about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Mindanao Island, near General Santos City, which has a population of around 700,000 people.
The institute recorded tsunami waves reaching up to 1.4 metres and immediately issued warnings for nine coastal provinces. Residents in vulnerable areas were strongly advised to evacuate to higher ground or move farther inland as a precaution. Authorities warned that the first tsunami waves were expected to arrive later in the morning and could continue for several hours.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered disaster response teams and emergency services to intensify monitoring and rescue efforts in affected regions. He also urged residents to follow evacuation advisories and prioritise safety.
Tremors from the earthquake were felt across neighbouring provinces, sparking panic among residents. The quake struck near Mindanao, the Philippines’ second-largest island and one of the country’s most seismically active regions.
The Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active seismic belt where several tectonic plates meet. Authorities remain on high alert as assessments and aftershock monitoring continue across the region.
