A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least three people, damaging buildings and triggering tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia.
The quake hit at 7.37 am near General Santos City on the island of Mindanao, sending residents rushing out of homes and buildings in panic. While the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology located the epicentre about 13 km southwest of the city, the US Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 7.8 and reported a depth of 55.2 km.
Authorities reported structural damage in several areas, with images from General Santos showing shattered storefronts, broken glass and debris scattered across streets. Power outages were also reported in parts of the affected region. Fearing strong aftershocks, the Philippine Office of Civil Defense advised residents to stay away from damaged buildings and remain alert. Emergency teams were deployed to assess the extent of destruction and assist affected communities.
The quake also prompted tsunami warnings, with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioning that waves of up to three metres could strike some Philippine coastlines. Smaller waves of up to one metre were forecast for parts of Indonesia and Malaysia. “We advise people to evacuate to higher ground or move further inland,” said Teresito Bacolcol, head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
The disaster once again underscored the Philippines’ vulnerability to powerful earthquakes and tsunamis, as the country lies along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions.
