Philippines Quake Death Toll Rises to 37, Tsunami Alert Issued | WPN World People News

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in southern Philippines on the morning of June 8, killing at least 37 people and injuring more than 200 others. The quake also triggered regional tsunami warnings, prompting coastal alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. A tsunami of approximately one meter was observed in some areas. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later announced that the tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the earthquake.

The epicenter was located roughly 20 kilometers offshore from Sarangani Province. Strong shaking was felt across Mindanao, and as of the morning of June 9, authorities had recorded 138 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7. The earthquake caused building collapses, landslides, widespread power outages, and water supply disruptions, with General Santos City suffering the most severe damage. The Philippine government has deployed military units and rescue teams to conduct search-and-rescue operations, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. pledged full support for affected communities.

The earthquake struck on the first day of the new school term, catching many students off guard while participating in school activities and causing widespread panic. The international community has also offered assistance, with the United States and Japan expressing their willingness to help. At present, there have been no reports of Taiwanese casualties. Experts noted that earthquakes are frequent in the Philippines, and this disaster occurred only about eight months after the country's previous major earthquake, underscoring the region’s continuing vulnerability to seismic hazards.