Massive Earthquake in Philippines. (Image: Internet)
Manila: A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines early Monday, triggering tsunami waves, damaging key infrastructure and leaving at least four people dead and more than 200 injured, according to officials.
The quake, one of the strongest to hit the country this year, prompted tsunami warnings across parts of the Philippines and neighboring countries as emergency responders scrambled to assess the damage.
The ][[[p9 local time and was centered beneath the sea near General Santos City in the southern Mindanao region. The tremor was felt across a wide area, including parts of neighboring Malaysia.
Authorities reported that the powerful shaking caused cracks in buildings, damaged a major access bridge and disrupted transportation networks. General Santos International Airport temporarily suspended operations, resulting in the cancellation of several domestic flights.
Officials confirmed that three people died in General Santos while another fatality was reported in Davao Oriental province. More than 200 people sustained injuries, many during the panic that followed the earthquake.
In several schools, students attending morning assemblies suffered bruises and fainting episodes as they rushed to safety. Despite structural damage in some areas, authorities said there were no immediate reports of people trapped under collapsed buildings.
The earthquake generated tsunami waves that reached parts of the southern Philippines. Monitoring stations recorded waves of up to one meter in coastal provinces, while smaller sea level changes were observed elsewhere.
Tsunami alerts were also issued in Indonesia and Malaysia, where authorities urged residents in vulnerable coastal communities to remain cautious. Waves were later detected along parts of both countries' coastlines.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged residents in at-risk areas to move to higher ground and follow official advisories. Disaster management agencies were placed on high alert as aftershocks continued throughout the day.
Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes, volcanic activity and severe weather events, making disaster preparedness a constant national priority.
