GENERAL SANTOS — A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines early Monday, collapsing buildings and killing at least 15 people, officials said.
The offshore quake hit the Mindanao region, with its epicenter located about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of General Santos City, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of around 10-34 kilometers (6-21 miles), authorities reported.
The tremor triggered tsunami warnings for parts of the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia and Malaysia's Sabah state, prompting evacuations along some coastal areas. A roughly 1-meter (3-foot) tsunami wave was reported in nearby coasts before the threat subsided, disaster officials said.
At least 15 people were killed and more than 100 others injured, mostly in the Soccksargen region of Mindanao, regional civil defense director Rodrigo Sosmena told reporters. Additional fatalities were reported in Davao Occidental province. Details on the full extent of casualties remained unclear as rescue operations continued.
Buildings collapsed in General Santos City, including a Jollibee fast-food restaurant and other structures. Videos showed school buildings damaged, with students and staff fleeing as debris fell. Power outages were reported across affected areas.
"The situation is still evolving, and we are prioritizing search and rescue," a disaster agency official said.
The Philippine Red Cross and local authorities deployed emergency teams to assess damage and assist victims. Classes were suspended in impacted regions, and residents were warned against entering damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
The southern Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of high seismic activity. Monday's quake was one of the strongest to strike the country in recent years. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for vigilance in coastal areas, according to reports.
As of Monday afternoon, aftershocks continued in the region. Emergency crews were working to clear debris and reach trapped individuals. International aid offers were being coordinated, though specifics were not immediately detailed.
Philippine authorities urged the public to follow official updates and civil defense instructions. No further information on widespread infrastructure damage was available in the immediate hours following the quake.
