Philippines declares emergency after powerful offshore earthquake

A powerful 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 12 people, injuring more than 200 others, and triggering brief tsunami waves along parts of the country’s coastline.

The quake occurred 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 (PHIVOLCS).

Authorities said the tremor caused widespread destruction across parts of Mindanao, particularly in General Santos City, a major commercial hub and key centre for the country’s tuna export industry.

At least seven deaths were recorded in General Santos, where several buildings partially collapsed, while critical infrastructure including a major access bridge sustained severe cracks. More than 130 people were injured in the city alone.

Five additional fatalities were confirmed in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island, bringing the total death toll to 12.

“It’s a major earthquake, and we’re expecting damage. We’ve already seen some damaged buildings based on videos we’ve seen,” PHIVOLCS Director Teresito Bacolcol said.

Emergency responders are also investigating reports that some students may be trapped inside a collapsed two-storey school building in General Santos. Police authorities confirmed that at least seven people remain missing.

The disaster struck on the same day schools reopened across the country after the summer break, with more than 100 students reportedly suffering minor injuries or fainting due to panic during the tremor.

Regional disaster officials described the moment the quake hit as violent and sudden.

“Our pickup truck suddenly jerked, and I thought we had a flat tire,” said Rod Sosmeña, a regional disaster official. “People dashed out of houses into the streets.”

In Davao, another official, Ednar Dayanghirang, said the shaking was so intense that he struggled to remain on his feet.

“I could hardly stand and keep my balance when the ground shook as I was leaving my house,” he said.

The earthquake also disrupted air travel, forcing the temporary closure of General Santos International Airport and the cancellation of at least 17 domestic flights while safety inspections were carried out.

Following the tremor, tsunami waves of up to one metre were recorded in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat, while smaller waves were observed in neighbouring Indonesia and Malaysia, prompting brief regional alerts.

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later confirmed that the tsunami threat had largely subsided, with no major damage or casualties reported from the waves.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured residents that the government had mobilised emergency response efforts to support affected communities.

“The national government is moving, and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” he said.

The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, remains highly vulnerable to earthquakes and volcanic activity, making such disasters a recurring challenge for the country.

Emergency agencies continue to assess the full extent of the destruction as aftershocks persist across the affected region.