A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 12 people, injuring more than 200 others and triggering tsunami waves along parts of the country’s coastline.
The offshore earthquake struck at about 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicentre located southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province at a depth of approximately 33 kilometres, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Authorities said the quake caused significant damage across parts of Mindanao, particularly in General Santos City, a major commercial hub and one of the country’s busiest tuna-export centres.
At least seven people died in General Santos, where several buildings partially collapsed and critical infrastructure, including a major access bridge, suffered extensive cracks. More than 130 people were injured in the city alone.
Five additional fatalities were recorded in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island, bringing the death toll to 12.
“It’s a major earthquake, and we’re expecting damage, and we’ve already seen some damaged buildings based on videos we’ve seen,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol told journalists.
Rescue officials said emergency teams were investigating reports that several students may have been trapped inside a collapsed two-storey school building in General Santos. Police also reported that at least seven people were missing.
The disaster struck on the same day public schools across the country resumed classes after the summer break. Officials said more than 100 students suffered minor injuries or fainted amid the panic caused by the strong tremor.
Regional disaster chief Rod Sosmeña described the moment the earthquake struck.
“Our pickup truck suddenly jerked, and I thought we had a flat tire,” he said. “People dashed out of houses into the streets.”
