Punjab Newsline | Manila
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines on Monday morning, causing widespread damage to buildings and leaving at least 19 people dead and more than 200 injured, according to police officials.
The earthquake occurred at 5:07 a.m. IST, with its epicenter located in the sea near Mindanao Island, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. The quake struck approximately 32 kilometers southwest of the town of Maasim in Sarangani Province at a depth of 33 kilometers.
Authorities said the tremor was the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines so far this year. Several commercial properties, including shops, offices, and business establishments, sustained damage, while emergency teams were deployed across affected areas.
The powerful quake also triggered a tsunami, with the highest recorded wave reaching 1.4 meters (4.6 feet). As a precaution, Indonesia and Malaysia issued tsunami warnings, which were later lifted after the threat subsided.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said that by 11 a.m. local time, 138 aftershocks had been recorded. The aftershocks ranged in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7, raising concerns about further structural damage in the affected regions.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing as authorities assess the full extent of the disaster and continue to monitor seismic activity.
In one widely shared video, students standing in an open field narrowly escaped injury as part of a nearby school building collapsed moments after they had evacuated.
Hospitals activated emergency response protocols, relocating patients to safer areas, while disaster management teams assessed damage across affected provinces. Authorities urged residents in coastal communities to stay away from beaches and low-lying areas until further notice.
The earthquake also disrupted electricity and communication services in several areas, complicating relief efforts. Emergency responders continue to assess the full extent of the damage as rescue and recovery operations remain underway.
