MANILA: A 7.8-magnitude quake that struck the southern Philippines on Monday has killed at least one person and injured four others while collapsing “a number of buildings”, police told AFP.
“Many buildings were affected, but I cannot enumerate them now because we are busy with ongoing rescues,” Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City police said.
“A number of buildings collapsed. Some houses also collapsed.”
The earthquake struck at a depth of 35 kilometres (22 miles) beneath the seabed off the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, the USGS said.
More wild footage from today’s massive earthquake in the Philippines. pic.twitter.com/Cdylad2d7W
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 8, 2026
Following the quake, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an alert warning that tsunami waves could reach coastal areas within the next three hours. The warning covered parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
Japanese authorities also issued a tsunami advisory for sections of the country’s Pacific coastline. The Japan Meteorological Agency said waves of up to one metre (three feet) could reach different regions from 11:30am local time (0230 GMT).
A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake today, June 8, 2026, violently shook Mahayahay Elementary School in Malita, Davao Occidental, Philippines. pic.twitter.com/tI7zwD3NeY
— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) June 8, 2026
There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, while authorities across the region continued to monitor sea levels and assess potential risks.
Hours later, a magnitude 6.1 aftershock rocked the southern Philippines on Monday, the United States Geological Survey said.
The second quake struck at a depth of 67 kilometres (42 miles) about eight kilometres north by northwest of Mindanao island’s Sarangani province, the USGS said.
