Massive offshore quake triggered deadly destruction, urgent evacuations, aftershocks, and widespread tsunami fears across Asia.
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, leaving at least three people dead, damaging buildings, and triggering urgent tsunami warnings across several Pacific coastal regions.
The offshore quake hit south of General Santos City, forcing authorities to order residents in vulnerable coastal areas to immediately move to higher ground. The first tremor was followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including one measured at 6.5 magnitude.
Videos from General Santos showed severe destruction, including a collapsed shopping centre with a Jollibee restaurant and a school building that crumbled despite being unoccupied at the time. Rescue teams rushed across affected areas as police reported deaths caused by falling walls and injuries from the disaster.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos suspended classes in impacted parts of Mindanao and issued a direct evacuation warning to coastal residents, stressing that lives must come before property. In Kiamba, near the epicentre, officials said most residents had already moved to higher ground.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that tsunami waves could threaten the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea. Alerts were also issued in parts of Japan, while Indonesia later lifted its warning.
General Santos airport was closed until further notice as emergency crews continued rescue and damage assessment operations.
The disaster once again exposed the Philippines’ dangerous position along the Pacific Ring of Fire, where powerful earthquakes remain a constant threat. Monday’s quake follows recent deadly tremors in Mindanao and Cebu that killed dozens and destroyed thousands of buildings.
