Magnitude 7.8 quake strikes Mindanao, triggers regional tsunami alerts
A 7.8‑magnitude earthquake hit the Mindanao region of the Philippines on Monday, prompting tsunami warnings in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan, with no immediate reports of fatalities.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Mindanao region of the southern Philippines at about 07:37 a.m. local time on Monday, the United States Geological Survey reported. The quake originated at a depth of roughly 35 kilometres off the coast of General Santos City in Sarangani province.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a tsunami warning, urging residents of coastal communities to evacuate to higher ground. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System indicated that waves could reach one to three metres above normal tide levels in parts of the Philippines. Similar alerts were released for Indonesia’s northeastern coast and Japan’s southern coastline, from Ibaraki to Okinawa prefectures.
Preliminary assessments found no confirmed deaths, though some individuals fainted after the tremor. Local police chief Benjie Ancheta said the police station in Alabel town sustained cracks but reported no casualties.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to begin evacuation and rescue operations, stating, "> To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning and move to higher ground now."
Photos released by the General Santos City information office showed damaged buildings and collapsed structures. The event occurred within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity.