Philippines Earthquake: Death Toll Rises to 35 as Tsunami Risk Assessing

The death toll from a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines has risen to at least 35, according to official reports. The quake, which occurred on Monday, triggered a 1-meter tsunami and caused widespread destruction, particularly in the city of General Santos and surrounding areas, as confirmed by 1News.

The earthquake, centered offshore near Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island group, occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time. It caused multiple buildings to collapse or sustain heavy damage, with over 200 people injured. A landslide in Glan, a municipality in Sarangani province, killed 13 villagers, while four others died in the same area, as reported by Rene Punzalan, a provincial disaster-mitigation official, to DZBB radio.

“The shaking was very strong and people dashed out of houses into the streets,” said Rod Sosmeña, a regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, describing the immediate aftermath. “Our pickup truck suddenly jerked and I thought we had a flat tire.”

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) confirmed the quake’s magnitude and warned of risks from aftershocks. “People should seek advice before returning to damaged buildings and houses, which could collapse due to aftershocks,” said Teresito Bacolcol, PHIVOLCS director.

The quake also triggered a tsunami, with waves reaching 1 meter in height in coastal areas of the southern Philippines. Smaller waves were recorded in Indonesia, Palau, and as far as southern Japan. Local authorities in General Santos reported significant damage to infrastructure, including roads and power lines.

International support has been pledged to aid the response efforts. The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, stated it was coordinating with Manila to provide assistance. France, Japan, and New Zealand also expressed support for the affected communities.

The Philippines, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, frequently experiences seismic activity. This earthquake marks the strongest to hit the country this year, according to PHIVOLCS. The region has previously faced devastating quakes, including the 2013 Bohol earthquake, which killed over 200 people.

As rescue operations continue, officials are urging residents to remain cautious amid ongoing tremors. The death toll is expected to rise as recovery efforts expand, with authorities prioritizing search-and-rescue missions in the hardest-hit areas.