A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. The first tremors were recorded at 07:37 local time, followed by a series of aftershocks.
The earthquake, according to CNN, citing Philippine authorities, affected the city of General Santos and its surrounding areas. About 720 thousand people live in this region. Among the damaged buildings were schools. June 8 marked the first day of the new school year in the Philippines.
At the time of writing, there have been at least 16 deaths and more than 200 infections. The earthquakes caused a tsunami reaching a height of one meter, causing devastation in the coastal strip. Reports news agency.
The exact extent of the damage is determined. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he ordered all government agencies to immediately evacuate residents if necessary and begin rescue efforts. Marcos also urged Filipinos not to ignore the tsunami warning. “Climb to higher ground now,” he stressed, “and don’t wait. Your life is more important than everything you leave behind.”
The Philippine archipelago is located in a zone of high volcanic and seismic activity – the Pacific Ring of Fire.
On September 30, 2025, during the previous strong earthquake, about 70 people were killed in the Philippines and several hundred injured.