General santos city: At least 35 people lost their lives when a significant earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, triggering tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The earthquake occurred at 7:37 am local time (2337 GMT on Sunday), measuring a magnitude of 7.8, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
According to Ghana News Agency, the epicenter of the tremor was located southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province, situated on the southern island of Mindanao. Official figures indicate that four individuals remain missing, and 144 people sustained injuries. Among the fatalities, 31 were from the Sarangani region, General Santos City, and South Cotabato, while four were from the Davao region. The quake's impact extended to parts of Indonesia, notably the island of Sulawesi, where a tsunami warning was also issued.
Japan issued warnings for its Pacific coastline regarding possible waves. The US Geological Survey (USGS), which initially reported the quake's magnitude as 8.2, later revised it to 7.8 and subsequently lifted its tsunami warning. The USGS noted the quake struck at a shallow depth of 55 kilometers and warned of potential waves up to 3 meters along some coastal areas. Phivolcs has since lifted its tsunami warning, reporting strong waves of up to 1.5 meters in six coastal areas.
In Indonesia, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) observed minor tsunami waves at several monitoring stations, but sea levels rose only slightly, leading to the lifting of its tsunami warning. The full extent of the damage in the region remains undetermined.
Social media videos depict buildings collapsing or partially collapsing in Mindanao. The earthquake disrupted electricity and telecommunications services in affected areas, according to the Philippine disaster agency. School classes were cancelled, and work in government and private offices was suspended. The quake occurred on the first day of the school year during flag-raising ceremonies, which meant many students, teachers, and staff were already outdoors.
Elene Marie Jane Gamboa, principal of Matanao National High School in Davao del Sur province, reported to Manila radio station DZMM that a school building collapsed. Fortunately, everyone was outside during the flag-raising ceremony.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered immediate relief and protective measures, urging the population to adhere to authorities' instructions. The Mindanao region is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, known for its intense tectonic activity, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently.