Powerful 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Kills 32 in Philippines Triggers Tsunami Alerts

At least 32 people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

The earthquake struck early Monday morning near Mindanao, the Philippines’ second-largest island, causing widespread destruction, landslides, and the collapse of several buildings. Among the damaged structures was a Jollibee restaurant that was reduced to rubble, while emergency teams raced to search for survivors in affected communities.

Authorities said thousands of residents were evacuated as a precaution, with nearly two dozen people still reported missing. The worst-hit areas include Sarangani Province and General Santos City, where many of the fatalities were recorded. Power and communication services were temporarily disrupted in some locations but have since been largely restored.

The quake also prompted tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia. While some warnings were later lifted, tsunami waves were detected along coastlines in several countries, with wave heights ranging from a few centimetres to more than one metre in some areas.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured residents that the national government was coordinating relief and rescue efforts, promising support for affected communities. Classes were suspended in several areas as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most active seismic zones, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence. However, the latest disaster ranks among the deadliest to hit the country in recent years and has renewed concerns about disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions.