7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Kills 5 in Philippines
The powerful tremor hit just offshore Mindanao island's Sarangani province, with the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioning that tsunami waves exceeding 3 meters — roughly 10 feet — above tidal level were possible along certain Philippine coastlines. The German Research Centre for Geosciences assessed the quake's intensity at an even higher magnitude of 8.2.
Authorities are actively verifying reports of at least five fatalities in the southern city of General Santos, as emergency response teams fan out across affected zones.
A powerful 6.1-magnitude aftershock struck the region approximately two hours after the initial quake, according to the USGS, compounding the destruction and heightening fears among already shaken coastal communities.
The earthquake inflicted widespread structural damage across parts of Mindanao, destroying buildings, classrooms, and school facilities, according to local daily Philstar. Class suspensions were imposed at all educational levels across earthquake-affected areas, while airport operations and emergency response activities were mobilized throughout the region.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. responded swiftly, directing government agencies to "act immediately" in executing disaster response and relief operations across impacted zones.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines temporarily halted all operations at General Santos City Airport following both the tremor and a tsunami warning issued by Phivolcs.
The threat rippled far beyond Philippine shores. Japan's weather agency issued a tsunami advisory for the Pacific coast of western and eastern Japan, with Kyodo News Agency reporting — citing the Japan Meteorological Agency — that waves reaching a maximum height of 1 meter could strike Miyako Island and the Yaeyama islands in Okinawa. The agency urged the public to remain well clear of all coastal areas covered by the advisory until it is formally lifted.
Authorities in both the Philippines and Indonesia issued urgent directives calling on residents in affected coastal regions to evacuate immediately to higher ground.
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