At least 37 people were killed after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, causing widespread damage, triggering panic and prompting emergency rescue operations, authorities said.
The quake struck at 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of about 35 kilometres, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Its epicentre was located offshore near General Santos City in Sarangani Province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
Officials reported extensive damage to buildings and infrastructure in several communities across Mindanao, while emergency sirens sounded as residents rushed from homes, schools and offices.
Authorities said at least 138 aftershocks had been recorded following the main tremor and warned residents to remain alert for additional seismic activity.
Images from General Santos City, a coastal city of about 720,000 people, showed damaged structures, cracked roads and collapsed concrete buildings.
The earthquake struck on the first day of the new academic year, forcing thousands of students and teachers to evacuate schools.
Videos shared on social media showed schoolchildren running to open spaces as classrooms and buildings shook.
In Davao Occidental, elementary school pupils were seen taking cover outdoors during the tremor. In neighbouring Davao del Sur, part of a high school roof collapsed while students gathered on a sports field, though no injuries were reported.
In General Santos City, the president of Notre Dame of Dadiangas University told Reuters he sheltered under a table as strong shaking rattled the university campus.
The quake also caused panic in Davao City, where more than 100 students suffered minor injuries and several others fainted during morning flag-raising ceremonies, regional emergency official Ednar Dayanghurang said.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to begin evacuations, rescue operations and relief efforts immediately. He urged residents in coastal and affected areas to heed tsunami warnings and move to higher ground where necessary.
Local officials reported structural damage to public facilities. Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel municipality, told Reuters that cracks appeared in the town’s police station after the earthquake struck during a flag-raising ceremony.
The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently.
Rescue teams continued search and assessment operations as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the damage and casualties.
