7.8 Magnitude Quake Strikes Southern Philippines, Tsunami Warning Issued

DID Press: A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines on Monday morning, triggering tsunami warnings across several coastal areas and causing at least three fatalities and four injuries, according to local authorities.

Officials said multiple buildings in General Santos City and surrounding areas were damaged or collapsed. Images from the scene showed structural destruction, including parts of a chain restaurant and commercial buildings that were partially destroyed.

The Philippine Civil Defense agency urged residents to avoid entering damaged structures due to the risk of strong aftershocks and called on coastal communities to evacuate to higher ground.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to three meters could affect parts of the Philippine coastline. Similar alerts were also issued for areas in Indonesia and Malaysia.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the epicenter was located near General Santos on the island of Mindanao. The quake struck as the new school year was beginning, causing widespread panic among students.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged citizens to follow safety advisories, stressing that protecting lives remains the top priority. He also ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas until further notice.