A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on June 8, leaving at least 15 people dead and more than 129 others injured, according to local authorities.
The earthquake occurred at approximately 7:37am local time near General Santos City on the island of Mindanao. The tremor was recorded at a relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometres, increasing its destructive impact on nearby communities.
Emergency responders were deployed across affected areas as reports of collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure and injured residents began emerging shortly after the quake. Authorities said rescue operations remain ongoing as teams continue searching damaged structures for possible victims.
The earthquake also triggered tsunami warnings across several countries in the region, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. While most warnings have since been lifted, Philippine authorities continued monitoring coastal areas after waves were detected along parts of Mindanao’s southern coastline.
Buildings Collapse Across General Santos City
Officials reported that more than two dozen structures suffered varying degrees of damage, with commercial properties among the hardest hit.
Images from General Santos City showed collapsed buildings, damaged supermarkets and debris scattered across streets. One of the most widely shared incidents involved a branch of the popular fast-food chain Jollibee, which was reduced to rubble during the earthquake.
Local police said numerous rescue operations were conducted throughout the day as emergency crews worked to reach people trapped beneath damaged structures.
Authorities also suspended operations at General Santos Airport to allow engineers to conduct safety inspections. Other airports in Mindanao continued operating normally.
Residents described scenes of panic as strong shaking sent people rushing outdoors. Many sought refuge in open spaces while aftershocks continued to rattle the region.
Hundreds Of Aftershocks Recorded
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that at least 138 aftershocks had been detected by late morning, ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7.
Several tsunami waves were recorded in parts of Mindanao, with the highest measuring approximately 1.4 metres. Smaller waves were also detected in neighbouring countries including Indonesia and Palau.
The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term in many parts of the Philippines. Videos circulating online showed frightened students being evacuated from classrooms while teachers attempted to keep children calm.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr directed government agencies to begin immediate disaster response efforts and urged residents in vulnerable coastal areas to remain vigilant.
As rescue operations continue, officials have warned residents to stay away from damaged buildings due to the risk of further collapses caused by strong aftershocks.
Investigations into the full extent of the damage remain ongoing, and authorities expect casualty figures to change as more information becomes available.