Death Toll Rises to 19 After Powerful Earthquake Strikes Southern Philippines

At least 19 people have been killed and more than 130 injured after a powerful earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, triggering widespread damage, disrupting transport services, and prompting tsunami warnings across parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located near General Santos City in the southern region of the country. Authorities reported that several buildings collapsed, roads sustained damage, and power outages affected multiple communities. Emergency responders continue to assess the full extent of the destruction.

Officials from the Philippine Office of Civil Defense confirmed that the death toll had risen to 19, while more than 130 people were injured and several others remain missing. Most fatalities were linked to collapsing structures, falling debris, and landslides triggered by the quake.

General Santos City was among the hardest-hit areas, with reports of significant structural damage, including the collapse of commercial buildings. Rescue teams have been deployed to search for people believed to be trapped beneath debris, while local authorities continue evacuation and relief operations.

The earthquake generated tsunami warnings for coastal areas in the Philippines and neighbouring countries, including Indonesia and Japan. While waves were recorded in several locations, officials later downgraded or lifted warnings after determining that the threat of a major tsunami had largely passed.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes across affected areas and directed national disaster-response agencies to accelerate rescue, recovery, and damage-assessment efforts. Authorities have also warned residents to remain vigilant as strong aftershocks continue to be recorded across the region.

The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making the country particularly vulnerable to major earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Source BBC