7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes the Philippines, Tsunami Warning Issued

Darwin, 08 June : A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck parts of southern Philippines early Monday morning, triggering tsunami warnings for some coastal areas, collapsing buildings, and killing at least three people.

“Many buildings have been damaged, but I cannot name them right now because we are focused on ongoing rescue operations,” Robert Dagn, a master sergeant of the General Santos City police, told Agence France-Presse.

The Philippines’ civil defense office has urged residents to avoid entering damaged homes or structures due to the risk of aftershocks.

Local police said later in the day that at least three people were killed and four others injured in the disaster.

Verified video shared by *The Guardian* shows the upper floors of a popular fast-food chain, Jollibee, and an external concrete wall of a commercial complex collapsing in General Santos City, near the epicenter.

In Davao del Sur, part of a high school also collapsed, with students seen gathering outside, according to footage shared by Bombo Radyo.

Photos from a convenience store in General Santos showed shattered glass at the entrance and overturned benches scattered along the street.

Power outages were reported, and residents were advised to move to higher ground. Officials said further casualty reports were still being assessed.

According to an initial report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the quake’s epicenter was located 13 km southwest of General Santos City in Mindanao, with a depth of 10 km. It struck at 7:37 a.m. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the magnitude at 7.8 with a depth of 55.2 km.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to 3 meters (10 feet) were possible along some Philippine coastlines, while waves of up to 1 meter were possible in parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol advised coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground or move further inland.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged the public to follow evacuation warnings, saying, “Do not wait. Your life is more valuable than anything you leave behind.”

He said evacuation centers had been activated and government agencies were working to assess damage and clear roads for rescue operations.

Tsunami risks were also noted for Taiwan, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and several Pacific island nations.

Indonesia felt tremors in North Sulawesi and North Maluku, later lifting its tsunami warning after initial evacuations. Small tsunami waves were recorded in at least nine locations, including a 0.75-meter wave on Sangihe Island.

The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is frequently hit by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and around 20 typhoons each year.

The quake struck just after schools reopened for the year, causing panic among students during a flag ceremony in Davao.

The Philippine Red Cross said it deployed teams to three high schools to assist students suffering from psychological distress.

President Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas until further notice, saying, “Our children’s safety comes first.”

Source: The Guardian