Powerful earthquake hits Philippines: at least 32 fatalities reported

A powerful earthquake struck the Philippines on Monday morning, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 100 injured. The magnitude 7.8 quake occurred off the coast of Mindanao shortly before 7:40 a.m. local time, according to the United States Geological Survey. The tremor was followed by a series of aftershocks that continued for more than an hour, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported.

One of the hardest-hit areas was General Santos City in southern Mindanao, where significant structural damage was reported. PHIVOLCS classified the shaking there as “very strong” on its intensity scale. Videos shared on official social media channels showed a three-story building containing a Jollibee restaurant collapsing, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air and alarming nearby residents. Other images showed shattered windows, collapsed roofs, and extensive damage across the city.

The earthquake also damaged parts of St. Elizabeth Hospital, forcing patients and healthcare workers to evacuate and continue operations outside the main building. Witnesses described intense shaking, including Mary Ann Blanco Rhudy, a Catholic nun from Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, who said trees along the road swayed violently as the quake struck. She added that several university buildings suffered partial collapses.

In response, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. activated emergency response agencies, including the Office of Civil Defence and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. He also ordered schools in affected regions to close. The disruption impacted approximately 3.2 million students and 128,000 teachers and school staff on what was supposed to be the first day of the academic year. Marcos emphasized that protecting children was the government’s top priority.

The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts in several countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia. The alerts were later lifted in those countries. However, authorities in Japan maintained a tsunami advisory for parts of the southern coastline and nearby islands, urging residents to avoid coastal areas and river mouths until further notice.