Devastating tremor strikes southern region of Philippines, claims 12 lives

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck the southern Philippines on Monday, resulting in the loss of at least 12 lives, while over 200 people sustained injuries, and triggering tsunami waves along parts of the country's coastline.

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The earthquake occurred offshore at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicentre situated southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province, at a depth of about 33 kilometres, as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

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According to authorities, the quake caused significant destruction across parts of Mindanao, particularly in General Santos City, a major commercial hub and one of the country's busiest tuna-export centres, where at least seven people lost their lives.

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In General Santos City, several buildings partially collapsed, and critical infrastructure, including a major access bridge, suffered extensive cracks, while more than 130 people were injured in the city alone.

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An additional five fatalities were recorded in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Balut Island, bringing the total death toll to 12, as confirmed by the authorities.

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PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol described the earthquake as a major one, stating that damage was expected, and that several damaged buildings had already been seen in videos, with rescue officials investigating reports of students possibly trapped inside a collapsed two-storey school building in General Santos.

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At least seven people were reported missing by the police, while the disaster occurred on the same day that public schools across the country resumed classes after the summer break, resulting in over 100 students suffering minor injuries or fainting due to the strong tremor.

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Regional disaster chief Rod Sosmeña recounted the moment the earthquake struck, saying that his pickup truck suddenly jerked, and he initially thought they had a flat tire, as people rushed out of houses into the streets.

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In Davao, local official Ednar Dayanghirang described the intense shaking, stating that he struggled to remain standing, and could hardly maintain his balance when the ground shook as he was leaving his house.

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The earthquake also disrupted transportation services, with authorities temporarily shutting down General Santos International Airport, and at least 17 domestic flights being cancelled during safety inspections.

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Following the quake, tsunami waves measuring up to one metre were recorded in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces, with smaller waves also detected in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia, prompting regional warnings.

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However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later announced that the tsunami threat had largely passed, with officials reporting no immediate deaths or significant damage linked to the waves.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured affected residents that the government would provide assistance, stating that the national government was moving, and would not leave Mindanao behind.

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The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone nations, with the country regularly experiencing powerful seismic events.

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Emergency responders continue to assess the full extent of the damage as aftershocks persist across the affected region.