An intense 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines early Monday, causing significant damage to buildings and a crucial access bridge in a major city, and triggering a tsunami that reached nearby coastlines. At least four people have died and over 200 others sustained injuries, according to official reports.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an urgent appeal for residents in tsunami-vulnerable areas to move to higher ground. Neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia also alerted their coastal populations.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre stated that the immediate threat of a widespread tsunami had largely receded approximately five hours after the 7:37 AM tremor. However, authorities continued to advise vigilance and adherence to local directives, as sea levels might continue to fluctuate.
The earthquake, the most powerful to hit the Philippines this year, was centered offshore, approximately 13 kilometers southwest of General Santos. This city, a significant hub for commerce and tuna processing in the southern Mindanao region, is home to over 700,000 people.
President Marcos Jr. assured that national disaster-response agencies were mobilized and prepared to assist. “The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” the President stated.
In General Santos, at least three fatalities and 130 injuries were reported. The damage included the partial collapse of smaller buildings and structural integrity issues, including dangerous cracks, on several structures, notably a key access bridge, Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defence, informed The Associated Press. The Department of Health confirmed an additional death in Davao Oriental province attributed to the earthquake.
Sosmeña described the experience of the tremor, stating that his vehicle suddenly jolted, leading him to initially suspect a flat tire. He observed people evacuating their homes and rushing into the streets. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of individuals trapped in partially collapsed buildings.
The General Santos International Airport was temporarily closed following the earthquake, leading to the cancellation of 17 domestic flights, according to civil aviation officials. In nearby southern regions, Ednar Dayanghirang, director of the Office of Civil Defence, reported that over 100 students participating in morning flag-raising ceremonies suffered bruises and some fainted due to panic across various schools.
Dayanghirang recounted his personal experience of struggling to maintain balance as the ground shook while he was leaving his residence. Local radio station DZRH in Manila reported that a small commercial building housing its provincial branch experienced a partial collapse, with staff evacuating safely. It remained unclear if other individuals were trapped within the debris of the four-story building. Debris from other structures also fell, striking parked tricycle taxis below.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology attributed the earthquake to seismic activity along the Cotabato Trench at a depth of 10 kilometers. Institute director Teresito Bacolcol noted that given the magnitude, significant damage was anticipated, with initial video footage confirming the impact on several buildings.
Tsunami watch stations in the Philippine provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani recorded waves measuring approximately 1 meter (3 feet). Smaller wave activity was observed in at least one other province, Bacolcol added. The President reiterated his plea for people in affected provinces to heed tsunami warnings and evacuate to higher ground immediately, emphasizing the importance of life over material possessions.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department issued a tsunami warning for the state of Sabah on Borneo island, located a short boat journey from the southern Philippines. In Indonesia, a tsunami of 83 centimeters (2.7 feet) was measured by a gauge off the coast of Sulawesi island.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre indicated that minor sea level changes were possible in Papua New Guinea and other areas in the western Pacific, with no threat posed to Hawaii. Aftershocks, some reaching magnitudes of up to 6.5, were recorded by the US Geological Survey, which reported the original quake’s depth at 55 kilometers, acknowledging common variations in measurements immediately following such events.
The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly susceptible to natural disasters, including frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, due to its location along an arc of seismic faults. The archipelago also endures approximately 20 typhoons and tropical storms annually.
The Chenab Times News Desk