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- October 13, 202617°
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- October 13, 202617°
At least 37 dead in 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in southern Philippines has killed at least 37 people and displaced over 32,000. Damage assessments continue in evacuated areas fearing a tsunami, while authorities warn of aftershock risks.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck southern Philippines continued search and rescue operations into the following day. Teams checked for anyone trapped inside collapsed buildings, confirming at least 37 fatalities and over 32,000 displaced.
The earthquake occurred Monday morning off the coast of Mindanao, at a depth of 33 kilometers. The tremor near Sarangani province was recorded as one of the strongest the country has experienced in the last half-century.
Official records show the number of missing persons in southern provinces has dropped to four. However, the Civil Defense Office stated that many collapsed and heavily damaged structures still need detailed inspection, and there may be others trapped or deceased inside.
Most evacuees fled due to fears of a tsunami following the quake. Tide gauges in the Philippines recorded waves up to 1.4 meters, but reported tsunami damage was limited to six stilt houses along the coast. Smaller waves reached the shores of Indonesia and Palau, with effects also felt in southern Japan.
One of the hardest-hit areas was General Santos, a city with over 700,000 residents known for fishing and especially tuna trade. At least 13 people died there due to collapsed buildings and falling debris.
At least 18 people died in Sarangani province. Civil defense official Rafaelito Alejandro reported that a landslide buried hillside homes in the town of Glan, causing most of the fatalities.
Fatalities were also reported in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and Balut Island. Initial damage assessments indicate about 2,500 homes and 117 government buildings and facilities were damaged.
General Santos International Airport remained closed for a second day. Sixty-three domestic flights, excluding humanitarian aid, were canceled. Approximately 6,000 public school buildings in affected areas require inspection before classes resume.
The earthquake coincided with the first day of classes after the summer break nationwide. Many of the injured were students gathered for the morning flag ceremony.
Authorities warned that buildings with cracks could collapse due to aftershocks. Civil Defense official Alejandro said schools will not reopen until damage inspections are complete.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the tremor was caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench and was the strongest since the 8.1 magnitude quake in the same area in 1976. That quake triggered tsunami waves that struck several towns and provinces, killing about 8,000 people.
The institute also noted a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1990 in the north caused over a thousand deaths, thousands of injuries, and extensive damage.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dispatched defense and disaster management officials from Manila to the region to oversee search and rescue, aid distribution, and infrastructure damage assessments. The US, France, Japan, and New Zealand announced readiness to support Manila's efforts.
Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic activity. The country also faces an average of 20 typhoons and tropical storms annually.
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