The quake hit near Mindanao, the Philippines’ second-largest island, at 7:37 a.m. local time, sending shockwaves through densely populated communities and sparking scenes of panic as buildings collapsed and landslides swept through vulnerable areas.
Authorities said nearly two dozen people remain missing, while more than 10,000 residents have been evacuated as emergency teams race to assess the full scale of the disaster.
Buildings Reduced to Rubble
Images emerging from the affected region showed widespread destruction, including a Jollibee restaurant that crumbled under the force of the tremor. Roads were blocked by debris, communication lines were temporarily disrupted, and rescue crews worked through damaged neighbourhoods searching for survivors.
The coastal province of Sarangani, located close to the earthquake’s epicentre, reported at least 17 fatalities, many linked to landslides triggered by the powerful shaking.
In nearby General Santos City, officials confirmed 10 deaths, while dozens of residents remain unaccounted for. The city, widely known as the Philippines’ tuna capital and the hometown of boxing legend turned politician Manny Pacquiao, was among the hardest-hit urban centres.
The provinces of South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat also suffered significant damage.
Tsunami Warnings Across the Region
The earthquake prompted tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia, highlighting the far-reaching impact of the seismic event.
Japanese authorities initially warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre could reach coastal areas. Smaller waves were later recorded in Okinawa and the remote Ogasawara Islands, while wave activity was also detected along the coastlines of Indonesia, Palau and the Philippines.
Most tsunami warnings were downgraded or lifted within hours, easing fears of a larger regional disaster.
Hundreds of Aftershocks Raise Concerns
Seismologists recorded more than 130 aftershocks following the main quake, ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7. The continuing seismic activity has heightened concerns about further structural damage and additional landslides in already vulnerable areas.
The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school year in the Philippines. Videos shared on social media showed frightened students crouching on shaking ground as school structures swayed around them. In one incident, a shelter collapsed moments after children had moved away from it.
Government Mobilises Emergency Response
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said national agencies were coordinating relief and rescue operations across the affected region.
“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” he said, while ordering the suspension of classes in impacted areas.
Officials cautioned that casualty figures remain preliminary and could rise as rescue workers reach remote communities and verify reports from local authorities.
A Region Living on the Edge of Tectonic Forces
The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world s most seismically active zones, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are a constant threat.
While many tremors pass with limited impact, major quakes have repeatedly left a deadly toll. Monday’s disaster serves as another stark reminder of the region’s geological vulnerability and the immense human cost that can follow when powerful tectonic forces are unleashed.
