A powerful Earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring four others. The strong tremor also prompted tsunami warnings across the Philippines and neighboring countries.
According to Philippine police, the casualties were reported shortly after the quake hit near Mindanao. Authorities are continuing to assess the full impact of the disaster.
Following the Earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued in the Philippines, Indonesia, and by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System. Residents living in coastal areas were advised to move to higher ground as a precaution.
The quake caused panic in several parts of southern Philippines. Radio station DZBB reported that furniture fell inside homes and offices. Television sets and other household appliances were damaged during the shaking. Many residents rushed out of their homes to seek safety as aftershocks continued.
The disaster management office in General Santos said aftershocks were still being felt. Authorities are currently evaluating reports of damage and injuries.
In Sarangani province, located near the epicenter, power and communication services were disrupted. Local officials also suspended school classes as a safety measure. Disaster response teams have been deployed to assess the situation.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the government was moving quickly to coordinate relief efforts. He assured residents that national authorities would provide support to affected communities in Mindanao.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that tsunami waves higher than one meter could occur and continue for several hours. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s geophysics agency reported detecting small tsunami waves measuring around 0.19 meters.
Local police officials described the event as one of the strongest tremors experienced in the area. Cracks were reported in some buildings, including a police station in Sarangani.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences said the Earthquake measured 7.8 in magnitude and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. However, different monitoring agencies reported slightly varying magnitudes.
Evacuation efforts were launched in several coastal villages. Officials in Maasim town said residents were moved to safer locations. Some infrastructure damage was also reported, including cracks in a bridge and the collapse of a religious shrine.
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The Philippines and Indonesia are located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity. Authorities remain on high alert as aftershocks continue and damage assessments remain underway.
