7.8-magnitude earthquake hits southern Philippines, killing eight

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines early on June 8, killing at least eight people, collapsing buildings, and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.

Authorities in both the Philippines and Indonesia urged residents in coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground after the offshore quake hit about 24 kilometres west of Sarangani province in Mindanao, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Police officials initially reported one death and several injuries, but the toll was later raised to at least eight fatalities as rescue operations continued.

Several buildings were reported to have collapsed, including commercial and residential structures in parts of General Santos City. Local officials said damage assessments were still ongoing as emergency teams focused on search and rescue efforts.

Video footage verified by AFP showed extensive destruction, including a shopping centre housing a fast-food outlet reduced to rubble, as well as a school building that authorities said was unoccupied at the time of the quake.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre warned that tsunami waves could reach coastal areas of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea within hours of the quake.

A magnitude 6.1 aftershock struck the region approximately two hours later, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas and urged residents in coastal communities to evacuate immediately.

“Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” he said. “Your life is more important than anything left behind.”

Indonesia’s disaster authorities also instructed evacuations in parts of North Sulawesi, northern Gorontalo, and the Sangihe Islands, while Japan issued a tsunami advisory for sections of its Pacific coastline.

Earthquakes are frequent in the Philippines, which lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a major seismic zone.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov