A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, killing at least 32 people, injuring over 200, and damaging buildings across the region.
The earthquake hit at 7.37am local time off Sarangani province, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Aftershocks of up to magnitude 6.5 were later recorded by the US Geological Survey.
Authorities said several people were killed by falling debris, a landslide, and the collapse of damaged structures while at least seven people remained missing in General Santos, one of the worst-affected cities near the epicentre.
Tsunami warnings triggered evacuations across coastal communities in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia after waves of up to 1.4m were recorded in parts of Sarangani.
The seismology agency lifted the tsunami alert after about two hours, saying minor sea disturbances continued to be monitored but were “too small to cause damage”.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move to higher ground, warning people not to wait.
“Your life is more important than anything left behind. The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” he said.
Key points
- A 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocks southern Philippines
- Death toll rises to 32 and number of injured crosses 200
- Buildings damaged and power outages reported after earthquake
- Philippines lifts tsunami alert after major quake, says 'wave heights are too small to cause damage'
- Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr says ‘we will not leave Mindanao behind’
Philippines government pledges support after Mindanao earthquake
12:00 , Shahana YasminThe Philippine government has said it has sufficient funds available to support rescue and recovery operations following the powerful earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday morning.
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, palace press officer Claire Castro said existing government resources remained enough “to carry out rescue and recovery operations in order to lessen the impact of the disaster”.
The Department of Budget and Management said quick response funds allocated to disaster-response agencies were immediately available for relief operations and could be replenished if required.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier ordered government agencies to mobilise assistance to affected communities after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed at least 16 people.
Tsunami damages coastal village in southern Philippines
11:45 , Shahana YasminTsunami waves triggered by the powerful earthquake damaged homes in at least one coastal village in the southern Philippines, according to local officials.
Authorities said six stilt houses were damaged in Zamboanga del Sur after waves swept ashore following the magnitude 7.8 quake off Mindanao.
Officials earlier reported tsunami waves of up to one metre in parts of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said the broader tsunami threat had largely passed.
Search under way for missing people after quake
11:30 , Shahana YasminAt least seven people have been reported missing in General Santos after the powerful earthquake caused buildings to collapse across parts of the southern Philippine city, according to national police.
Disaster officials said authorities were investigating reports that students may have been trapped inside a collapsed two-storey school building. The Bureau of Fire said rescue crews had been deployed to damaged structures and a warehouse in General Santos as search operations continued.
The earthquake, which struck off Mindanao on Monday morning, has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 200, according to officials.
Watch: 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Philippines, tsunami warning issued
11:15 , Shahana YasminUniversity building collapses after powerful quake
11:00 , Shahana YasminOne of the buildings at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University in General Santos collapsed after the earthquake struck southern Mindanao on Monday morning.
University president Manuel de Leon told the broadcaster DZMM that the shaking was prolonged and intense. “I had to duck and shelter myself under the table. And it was very long and strong,” he said.
Officials said nobody was inside the collapsed building at the time. The earthquake hit shortly after schools reopened across the Philippines following a long academic break.
Indonesians flee to higher ground after tsunami alert
10:45 , Shahana Yasmin
Residents in parts of Indonesia moved to higher ground after tsunami warnings were issued following the powerful earthquake off southern Philippines.
A tsunami wave measuring up to 0.75 metres was detected in parts of North Sulawesi, according to Indonesian authorities. Residents of the remote Sangihe Islands, among the areas closest to the Philippines, were evacuated from coastal zones.
“They are now evacuating to the higher ground away from the coast, to avoid the potential tsunami,” resident Jufry Dalita told state news agency Antara.
Strong aftershocks continue across Mindanao
10:30 , Shahana YasminAt least nine strong aftershocks were recorded across Mindanao after Monday morning’s major earthquake, according to the Philippine seismology agency.
Officials said the strongest aftershock measured magnitude 6.7, adding to fears in areas already dealing with damaged buildings, power outages and tsunami warnings.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid damaged structures and remain alert as inspections continue across affected provinces.
Military deploys disaster response units after quake
10:15 , Shahana YasminThe Philippine military has deployed disaster response units to areas affected by Monday’s powerful earthquake as authorities continue rescue and damage assessment operations across Mindanao.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered an immediate disaster response following the magnitude 7.8 quake, directing agencies to prepare relief supplies, evacuation centres and emergency rescue teams.
Officials said aftershocks continued to be felt across southern parts of the country, while civil defence authorities worked to verify reports that at least 15 people had been killed.
Hospital evacuated after cracks found in building
10:00 , Shahana YasminA hospital in General Santos was evacuated after the powerful earthquake caused cracks to appear on upper floors of the building.
Authorities said patients and staff were moved out of the facility as engineers assessed possible structural damage following the magnitude 7.8 quake, which struck off Mindanao on Monday morning.
Hospitals across affected areas remained on alert as aftershocks continued to shake southern parts of the Philippines.
Officials were still assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake, which has killed at least 15 people according to preliminary civil defence figures.
Malaysia offers assistance after Philippines quake
09:45 , Shahana YasminMalaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed solidarity with the Philippines following the powerful earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday morning, saying his country was prepared to provide assistance if needed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Filipino people. Malaysia stands ready to render whatever assistance may be required,” Anwar said in a Facebook post.
He added that tremors from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake were also felt in parts of Sabah, the Malaysian state on Borneo island closest to the southern Philippines, and that authorities were continuing to monitor the situation.
Malaysia earlier issued tsunami alerts for coastal areas in Sabah after the earthquake triggered warnings across the region.
Why Mindanao is vulnerable to major earthquakes
09:30 , Shahana YasminThe Philippines is among the most seismically active countries in the world because it sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a vast belt of volcanoes, trenches and fault lines that stretches around the Pacific Ocean.
The country lies on a complex network of tectonic plate boundaries, making powerful earthquakes and tsunami-generating undersea quakes a recurring threat.
Monday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake was linked to movement along the Cotabato Trench off Mindanao, according to Philippine seismologists. The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes each year, with an average of more than 800 annually over the past decade.
The latest quake follows a series of destructive tremors in recent years. In October 2025, twin earthquakes measuring 7.4 and 6.8 struck off Mindanao, killing at least seven people. Just days earlier, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake near Cebu killed more than 60 people and became the country’s deadliest seismic event since 2013.
UK updates travel guidance after Mindanao quake
09:15 , Shahana YasminThe UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has issued safety guidance for the southern Philippines following the powerful earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday morning.
The FCDO advised people in affected areas to follow instructions from local authorities and avoid damaged buildings as aftershocks continued across the region.
It also urged anyone planning to travel to Mindanao to check for updates with airlines and travel providers, and to ensure their insurance policies include coverage for natural disasters.
Philippines lifts tsunami alert after major quake
09:00 , Shahana YasminThe Philippines’ seismology agency Phivolcs has lifted the tsunami alert issued after the powerful earthquake that struck off Mindanao on Monday morning.
“After the extended two-hour observation period, minor sea level disturbances continued to be recorded; however, these observed wave heights are too small to cause damage,” the agency in an advisory.
Authorities had earlier warned residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move to higher ground after tsunami waves were recorded along parts of the southern Philippine coastline following the magnitude 7.8 quake.
Tsunami warnings and advisories were also issued in Indonesia, Malaysia, and other parts of the western Pacific before the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the broader threat had largely passed.
Emergency officials in the Philippines continued to assess damage and casualties after the earthquake, which has killed at least 16 people and injured more than 200, according to authorities.
Key access bridge damaged in Mindanao
08:30 , Shahana YasminOne of the key access bridges serving General Santos sustained significant cracks during the earthquake, according to disaster officials.
The bridge is among several pieces of infrastructure being inspected as authorities assess the full extent of the damage caused by the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines this year.
Officials have also reported damage to public buildings, schools, and commercial properties across parts of southern Mindanao.
Witnesses describe panic during Philippines earthquake
08:10 , Shahana YasminResidents and emergency officials in the southern Philippines described scenes of panic and confusion after a powerful earthquake struck off Mindanao on Monday morning.
Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, said he initially thought his vehicle had suffered a puncture when the tremor hit. “Our pickup truck suddenly jerked and I thought we had a flat tyre,” he told the Associated Press. “People dashed out of houses into the streets.”
Ednar Dayanghirang, a disaster official in southern Davao, said the shaking was so intense he struggled to remain standing as he left his home.
At schools across the region, more than 100 students suffered bruises or fainted during hurried evacuations from morning flag-raising ceremonies, officials said.
Local media also reported debris falling from buildings in General Santos as aftershocks continued across southern Mindanao.
Tsunami threat largely passes after Philippines quake
07:50 , Shahana YasminThe Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat following the powerful earthquake off the southern Philippines had largely passed after waves reached coastlines across parts of the region.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Mindanao on Monday morning and triggered tsunami warnings in the Philippines, Indonesia. and Malaysia, prompting evacuations in vulnerable coastal communities.
Emergency teams continued to assess damage and casualties in affected areas as aftershocks were felt across southern Mindanao.
Mapped: Tsunami waves recorded as powerful earthquake rocks Philippines
07:39 , Shahana YasminFlights cancelled after Mindanao earthquake
06:50 , Shahana YasminThe earthquake disrupted transport links across southern Mindanao, with authorities closing General Santos International Airport following reports of structural damage.
At least 17 domestic flights were cancelled after inspections began at the airport. Officials were also assessing roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure near the epicentre as aftershocks continued to shake the region.
The airport serves as a key gateway to southern Mindanao and the closure is expected to affect travel across the region.
Mindanao quake is country’s strongest of 2026
06:30 , Shahana YasminThe magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the southern Philippines on Monday morning is the strongest recorded in the country this year, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Teresito Bacolcol, the institute’s director, said the quake struck at 7.37am local time and was centred at sea about 13km south-west of General Santos. The earthquake was caused by movement along the Cotabato Trench at a depth of 10km, he said.
“It’s a major earthquake and we’re expecting damages and we’ve already some damaged buildings based on videos we’ve seen,” Bacolcol told the Associated Press.
Authorities across Mindanao have been assessing damage, while tsunami warnings and evacuation orders remain in place in several coastal areas.
Philippines quake death toll rises to 32
06:27 , Shahana YasminThe death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the southern Philippines on Monday has risen to at least 32, according to the country’s civil defence office.
Officials also reported over 200 injuries in the region as emergency teams continued search, rescue and damage assessment operations.
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Mindanao on Monday morning, triggering tsunami warnings across the Philippines and neighbouring countries. Authorities said aftershocks were still being felt in some areas as evacuations and infrastructure inspections continued.
Photos capture aftermath of powerful Mindanao earthquake
06:11 , Shahana Yasmin
Marcos says ‘we will not leave Mindanao behind’
05:50 , Shahana YasminPhilippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the government was coordinating a disaster response after a powerful earthquake struck Mindanao and triggered tsunami warnings across the region.
“Please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” Marcos told people in quake-hit provinces. “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind.”
The quake, which struck near General Santos at 7.37am local time, was among the strongest recorded in the Philippines this year. Authorities said aftershocks continued to be felt across southern parts of the country.
Emergency officials were assessing reports of casualties and damage as evacuations continued in coastal communities affected by tsunami alerts.
At least 12 dead and more than 200 injured
05:40 , Shahana YasminAt least 15 people have died and more than 200 others have been injured after a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the southern Philippines.
Many of the injuries were reported during evacuations and panic that followed the quake, which hit shortly before the start of the school day.
Emergency responders remained deployed across affected provinces as officials continued to assess damage to buildings, transport links, and public infrastructure.
Buildings damaged and power outages reported after earthquake
05:31 , Shahana YasminBuildings were damaged and power and telecommunications were disrupted in parts of the southern Philippines after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck near General Santos on Monday morning.
Local radio stations reported debris falling from buildings in General Santos, while a four-storey office building housing a provincial radio branch partially collapsed. Staff members evacuated the building without reported injuries.
In nearby Sarangani province, disaster officials said schools had been closed and infrastructure assessments were under way after power and communication lines went down in several areas.
Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel town, told Reuters the local police building had developed cracks during the quake. “This is the strongest earthquake we’ve experienced,” he said.
At least three reported dead after Philippines quake
05:10 , Shahana YasminAt least three people died and four were injured after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Philippines on Monday morning, police said.
Authorities did not immediately release details about the reported fatalities or the circumstances of the injuries as emergency teams continued to assess damage across affected areas near the quake’s epicentre in Mindanao.
The earthquake struck near General Santos at 7.37am local time and triggered tsunami warnings across parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Aftershocks continued to be felt across the region hours later.
Officials have reported damage to buildings and infrastructure in parts of Mindanao, while power and telecommunications outages were recorded in some coastal areas. Evacuations also remained under way in communities affected by tsunami alerts.
Philippines verifies reports of five quake deaths
04:50 , Shahana YasminPhilippine authorities are verifying reports that at least five people were killed after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern island of Mindanao on Monday morning.
Agripino Dacera, General Santos’ disaster management chief, said that emergency officials were still confirming the reported deaths while teams assessed damage across the city, which lies near the quake’s epicentre.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake struck at 7.37am local time at a depth of 10km. Aftershocks continued to be felt across the region, with the US Geological Survey recording tremors of up to magnitude 6.5.
Authorities said damage assessments were ongoing in affected areas, where buildings were damaged and power and communications outages were reported.
Tsunami warnings issued after powerful quake
04:28 , Shahana YasminTsunami warnings were issued across parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia after a powerful earthquake struck off Mindanao on Monday.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to 9.8ft could hit some Philippine coastlines, while officials said waves of up to 3ft had already been recorded in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged residents in vulnerable areas to move to higher ground immediately. “Please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” he said.
Authorities in Sarangani province said evacuations were under way in coastal villages as emergency teams monitored sea conditions and assessed damage.
