Impact of M 7.8 Philippines Earthquake: 19 Dead, 12 Missing, Hundreds Injured
A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning (8/6/2026). Latest reports indicate that at least 19 people have died and more than 130 individuals have been injured due to the earthquake, which triggered tsunami warnings along the coastal regions.
Local authorities confirmed that the earthquake occurred at 07:37 local time. The epicentre was located off the coast of Sarangani Province, Mindanao Island, at a depth of approximately 55 kilometres below the surface.
General Santos City was one of the most severely affected areas due to its proximity to the epicentre. Visual recordings from the site showed numerous buildings suffering heavy structural damage or total collapse. The Philippine disaster management agency reported an emergency situation in General Santos City, noting that the earthquake also paralysed transport access. Operations at General Santos International Airport were temporarily suspended, leading to the cancellation of several commercial flights to the tuna export hub.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a series of tsunami waves following the earthquake. The highest wave recorded reached 1.48 metres along the Philippine coast. These warnings were not merely local, as tsunami waves were also detected reaching parts of Indonesia and Japan.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued strict instructions to residents in red zones to comply with security authority directives. “Follow the warnings from local authorities and evacuate immediately to higher ground,” President Marcos Jr. stated.
In Davao Occidental Province, extreme panic was reported in school environments. Video footage showed students crying hysterically during the tremors, which lasted several seconds and damaged educational facilities in the region.
As of now, rescue teams continue their efforts in evacuation and assessing material losses. The Philippine government is focusing recovery efforts on vital infrastructure and the search for those still declared missing.