At least five people were killed after a powerful offshore earthquake struck southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuations…reports Asian Lite News Desk
At least five people have been reported dead after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings, damaging infrastructure and prompting emergency evacuations across several coastal provinces.
The earthquake hit at 7:37 a.m. local time on Monday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS). The tectonic quake occurred at a depth of 33 kilometres, with its epicentre located around 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani Province on Mindanao Island.
Local disaster management officials said the death toll stood at five, although authorities were continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and verify casualty figures as rescue and response operations continued throughout the day.
Agripino Dacera, disaster management chief in General Santos City, said emergency teams were working to gather information from affected communities and determine the scale of destruction caused by the earthquake.
Initial reports from local media indicated that several buildings suffered structural damage, while some collapsed entirely. Power outages were also reported in parts of the region as strong tremors shook neighbouring provinces across Mindanao.
The earthquake prompted PHIVOLCS to issue a tsunami warning for nine coastal provinces. Residents living in low-lying coastal communities were urged to immediately move to higher ground or travel farther inland as a precautionary measure.
According to the institute, the highest tsunami wave recorded following the quake measured 1.4 metres. Authorities warned that the first waves were expected to reach coastal areas on Monday morning and could continue for several hours, increasing the risk to communities near the shoreline.
Emergency services and local government units began evacuation efforts shortly after the warning was issued. Disaster response teams were deployed to monitor coastal conditions and assist residents relocating to safer areas.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered disaster response agencies to intensify monitoring and relief efforts across the affected regions. He also appealed to residents in vulnerable coastal communities to follow official evacuation orders and prioritise their safety.
Government agencies were placed on heightened alert as authorities assessed potential impacts on infrastructure, transportation networks and public services. Emergency shelters were prepared in several areas to accommodate displaced residents if required.
The earthquake occurred near Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines and one of the country’s most densely populated regions. General Santos City, located close to the epicentre, has a population of approximately 700,000 people.
The Philippines is among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a vast zone of tectonic plate boundaries stretching around the Pacific Ocean. The region experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity as several major tectonic plates interact beneath the Earth’s surface.
Seismologists noted that powerful offshore earthquakes can generate tsunamis when sudden movements of the seabed displace large volumes of water. While the tsunami waves recorded so far have remained relatively moderate, authorities continued to monitor sea conditions closely.
Rescue teams remained on standby as aftershocks were expected in the hours and days following the quake. Officials urged the public to remain vigilant and follow guidance from emergency authorities as assessments and recovery operations continued across the affected areas.
