Powerful 7.8 earthquake hits Philippines, deaths feared as tsunami warning issued

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, damaging buildings, triggering tsunami warnings across the region and prompting mass evacuations in coastal communities.

According to Reuters, at least five people have been reported dead in General Santos City, although local authorities said the fatalities are still being verified as rescue and assessment operations continue.

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The earthquake struck the Mindanao region at around 7.37 am local time. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at a depth of about 35 kilometres (21.7 miles), with its epicentre located off the coast of General Santos City in Sarangani province.

Tsunami warnings trigger evacuations

Following the earthquake, authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan issued tsunami warnings and urged residents in vulnerable coastal areas to move to safer locations.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that tsunami waves between one and three metres above normal tide levels could affect parts of the country. Reports indicated that tsunami waves of up to three feet had already reached sections of the Philippine coastline, per CNN.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered immediate evacuation efforts and suspended classes in affected areas of Mindanao.

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

In a separate statement, Marcos said he had “directed all relevant government agencies to act immediately” to evacuate residents and begin rescue operations.

Buildings damaged, panic reported

Images released by local authorities in General Santos City showed damaged buildings and collapsed structures in the aftermath of the quake, per a report by CNN.

In nearby Alabel town, police chief Benjie Ancheta said cracks appeared in the police station building shortly after the tremor struck during a flag-raising ceremony.

“This is the strongest earthquake we’ve experienced,” Ancheta told Reuters.

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While no confirmed casualty figures were immediately available from Sarangani province, officials reported that several people fainted during the strong shaking.

Ring of Fire region on alert

Indonesia issued a tsunami warning for its northeastern coast, while Japan warned coastal areas stretching from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture.

The Philippines, Indonesia and Japan lie along the Pacific "Ring of Fire", one of the world's most active seismic zones, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently.

Meanwhile, the US National Weather Service said no tsunami threat was detected for Hawaii.