A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines, on the morning of Monday, June 8, killing 32 people, injuring more than 200, and prompting tsunami warnings across several coastal areas.
The earthquake also damaged buildings and major infrastructure, with videos of collapsed structures quickly circulating online.
What caused the earthquake?
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the earthquake occurred at 7:37am.
Its epicentre was located about 32 kilometres southwest of Maasim, Sarangani, at a depth of 33 kilometres.
Following the quake, Phivolcs recorded tsunami waves of up to 1.4 meters at several sea-level monitoring stations.
The first waves were detected in Maasim, Sarangani at 7:42am, followed by Kiamba, Sarangani at 7:44am; Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat at 7:59am; Mati City, Davao Oriental at 8:19am; Zamboanga City at 8:32am; and Tandag City, Surigao del Sur at 8:45am.
Initial reports suggested that the earthquake may have originated from the Cotabato Trench.
However, Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said scientists are still analysing available data to determine the exact cause of the strong tremor.
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The aftermath
Bacolcol described the quake as the strongest to hit the country this year.
Meanwhile, Office of Civil Defence Regional Director Rod Sosmena said the shaking was “very strong,” recalling how people rushed out of their homes and into the streets.
Several buildings either collapsed or sustained significant damage, accounting for most of the reported fatalities.
Based on the latest reports from various media outlets, 32 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 200 others were injured.
The earthquake also triggered a landslide in Glan, Sarangani Province, killing 13 villagers, according to provincial disaster mitigation official Rene Punzalan.
In General Santos City, 12 people were reported missing.
Officials said the destruction was severe, prompting search-and-rescue teams to look for survivors trapped inside a supermarket, a warehouse, a grade school, and other damaged structures, according to Agence France-Presse.
Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City Police said numerous buildings and homes had collapsed, but authorities have yet to fully assess the extent of the damage as rescue operations remain ongoing.
Classes on what would have been the first day of the school year were also suspended to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Disaster response official Ednar Dayanghirang said many students were attending morning flag-raising ceremonies when the earthquake struck.
Some suffered minor injuries, while others fainted due to panic.
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Government response
Following the earthquake, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured the public that disaster response agencies were prepared to assist affected communities.
“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” Marcos said.
The President added that the Office of Civil Defence and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) are coordinating response and monitoring efforts in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development is overseeing relief operations and ensuring that evacuation centres are ready to accommodate displaced residents.
Marcos also directed the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assess infrastructure damage and begin clearing roads, bridges, and other critical routes needed for rescue and relief operations, Philippine News Agency reported.
He likewise urged residents in coastal communities to move to higher ground and follow the instructions of local authorities while tsunami warnings remain in effect.
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