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At Least 37 Dead in 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake in the Philippines
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southern Philippines has killed at least 37 people and displaced over 32,000. Damage assessments continue in evacuated areas due to tsunami fears, while authorities warn of aftershock risks.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Philippines continued to drive search and rescue efforts a day later. Teams checked collapsed buildings to ensure no one remained trapped inside, confirming at least 37 fatalities and over 32,000 displaced individuals.
The quake occurred Monday morning off the coast of Mindanao, at a depth of 33 kilometers. The tremor near Sarangani province is recorded as one of the strongest earthquakes the country has experienced in the last half-century.
Official records show the number of missing persons in the southern provinces has dropped to four. However, the Civil Defense Office stated that many collapsed and heavily damaged structures still require detailed inspection, and there may be others trapped or deceased inside.
Most evacuees fled due to fears of a tsunami following the quake. Tide gauges in the Philippines recorded waves up to 1.4 meters, but reported tsunami damage was limited to six stilt houses along the coast. Smaller waves reached the shores of Indonesia and Palau, with effects also felt in southern Japan.
One of the hardest-hit areas was General Santos, a city with over 700,000 residents known for fishing and especially tuna trade. At least 13 people died there due to collapsed buildings and falling debris.
In Sarangani province, at least 18 people lost their lives. Civil defense official Rafaelito Alejandro reported that a landslide buried homes on a mountainside in the town of Glan, accounting for most of the deaths.
Fatalities were also reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Balut Island. Initial damage assessments indicate about 2,500 homes and 117 government buildings and facilities were affected.
General Santos International Airport remained closed for a second day. Sixty-three domestic flights, excluding humanitarian aid flights, were canceled. Approximately 6,000 public school buildings in the affected areas require inspection before classes can resume.
The earthquake coincided with the first day of classes after the summer break nationwide. A significant number of the injured were students gathered for the morning flag ceremony.
Authorities warned that buildings with cracks could collapse due to aftershocks. Civil Defense Office official Alejandro stated schools will not reopen until damage inspections are complete.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the tremor resulted from activity in the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest since the 8.1 magnitude quake in the same area in 1976. That quake triggered tsunami waves that struck several towns and provinces, killing about 8,000 people.
According to the institute, another 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1990 in the northern part of the country caused over a thousand deaths, thousands of injuries, and extensive damage.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dispatched defense and disaster management officials from Manila to the region to oversee search and rescue, distribution of aid packages, and assessment of damage to bridges, roads, and other infrastructure. The US, France, Japan, and New Zealand also announced readiness to provide support in coordination with Manila.
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country is also affected annually by an average of 20 typhoons and tropical storms.
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