Seism strikes Mindanao: 15 dead and tsunami alerts issued
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least 15 people and injuring 129 others.
The quake hit near Mindanao Island at 07:37 local time (23:37 GMT) at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Local civil defense director Rodrigo Sosmeña reported that 12 of the fatalities occurred in the Soccsksargen region. More than 20 commercial buildings and structures sustained severe damage across the area.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all relevant government agencies to respond immediately to the disaster zones. He urgently advised residents in vulnerable coastal areas to evacuate to safer ground.
"Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything you could leave behind," the head of state said.
The seismic event triggered temporary tsunami warnings across several nations, including the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded wave heights of up to 0.8 meters in Palau and Indonesia. Meanwhile, Phivolcs registered tsunami waves reaching up to 1.4 meters in southern Mindanao.
By 11:00 local time, authorities had recorded 138 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7.
The disaster coincided with the opening day of the new school year. Video footage on social media captured young students screaming as classrooms shook, while teachers attempted to calm them amid collapsing structures.
Emergency officials warned that the casualty count remains provisional and is expected to rise as rescue teams reach isolated communities.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
