GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines — A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 50 people and injuring scores more as buildings collapsed and a tsunami warning was issued for coastal areas, officials said.
The quake hit at 7:37 a.m. local time offshore near Sarangani province in the Mindanao region, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the U.S. Geological Survey. It triggered tsunami alerts across parts of the southern Philippines, with waves reported in some coastal areas.
Disaster officials reported widespread damage in General Santos City and surrounding provinces, where several buildings collapsed and landslides blocked roads. Rescue teams were searching for survivors in rubble, with the death toll expected to rise as assessments continued, the national disaster agency said.
"At least 50 people have been confirmed dead so far, with many more injured," a disaster response official told reporters in General Santos. "Our teams are working around the clock to reach affected communities."
The earthquake was felt across Mindanao, with strong shaking reported in Davao and other cities. Schools in session at the time saw students and staff fleeing collapsing structures, according to local media footage. Classes were suspended nationwide in affected regions.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued alerts for possible waves in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. Some coastal residents evacuated to higher ground, though the tsunami threat was later downgraded in certain areas. Details on wave heights and full impacts remained unclear hours after the quake.
The southern Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone where earthquakes are common. Monday's tremor was followed by multiple aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 6.7, according to monitoring agencies.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered immediate deployment of military and emergency personnel to the region. International aid offers were received from neighboring countries and global organizations, officials said.
As of Monday evening, more than 200 people were reported injured and thousands displaced to evacuation centers, according to preliminary figures from local authorities. Power outages and communication disruptions affected several areas, complicating rescue efforts.
Search and rescue operations continued into the night, with officials warning residents to avoid damaged structures due to the risk of further collapses. The full extent of damage and casualties was still being assessed.
