A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines early Monday morning, triggering tsunami warnings and causing damage in parts of the region.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time. The epicenter was located southwest of General Santos City on Mindanao Island at a shallow depth, intensifying the shaking felt across nearby areas.
The strong tremor damaged buildings, disrupted electricity supply, and caused panic among residents. In General Santos City, a small building reportedly collapsed, although there were no immediate reports of deaths or serious injuries. Emergency teams were deployed to assess the extent of the damage.
Following the earthquake, authorities issued tsunami warnings for several coastal areas. Residents living near shorelines were advised to move to higher ground as a precaution. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to 3 meters could affect parts of the Philippines, while smaller waves were possible along some coastal areas of Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions frequently occur. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and have urged the public to remain alert for possible aftershocks.
Further updates are expected as damage assessments and emergency response operations continue.