Overview
- The quake struck offshore near Sarangani and General Santos at 07:37 a.m. local time on Monday and was measured at magnitude 7.8 by the USGS with shallow depth readings from local agencies.
- Provincial tallies report dozens killed, hundreds injured and several people missing while officials say numbers remain being verified as search and rescue continues.
- The temblor toppled low-rise commercial and school buildings, caused a landslide in Glan that killed multiple villagers, and briefly produced tsunami waves of about 1 to 1.4 metres along nearby coasts.
- Authorities suspended classes, ordered coastal evacuations, closed General Santos airport and mobilised national disaster and medical teams as international partners offered assistance.
- Seismologists recorded strong aftershocks up to about magnitude 6.5 and warn that the quake’s shallow depth increases surface shaking and tsunami risk so officials are monitoring sea levels and damage assessments for days to come.