Philippines struck by 7.8‑magnitude earthquake, at least four dead

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the southern Philippines on Monday morning at 07:37 local time, with its epicenter just 10 km below the surface in the Mindanao region. The quake killed at least four people and injured more than 200, causing partial building collapses, damage to a key bridge, and the temporary closure of the General Santos international airport, which led to the cancellation of 17 domestic flights.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged residents to move to higher ground, and disaster‑relief agencies were mobilised for response. A tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, with three‑foot waves reported along coastal areas of the Philippines and similar alerts issued in Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan and other Pacific territories. While the immediate tsunami threat later subsided, authorities continue to advise caution as sea levels may fluctuate for several hours.

The quake also caused injuries among schoolchildren during a flag‑raising ceremony, and the affected provinces reported damage to infrastructure and disrupted transport services. Regional monitoring agencies remain on alert for any further seismic activity.