MANILA, Philippines — A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Monday, generating tsunami waves in at least six areas of Mindanao and sending authorities scrambling to assess damage across the region.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the waves were recorded along mostly southern coastal areas of Mindanao between 7:42 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. local time, with the highest reaching 1.4 meters (4.6 feet). The agency said the tsunami warning for the Philippines remained in effect.
Aftershocks Continue
PHIVOLCS said 138 aftershocks had been recorded by 11 a.m. local time, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.7. Authorities warned that more shaking could follow as the region remained under threat from the offshore quake.
Coastal Risk
The quake struck near Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island, where coastal communities are especially vulnerable to tsunami activity and strong seismic events. Officials urged residents in affected areas to stay away from shorelines while monitoring continued.
Damage Assessment
Early reports indicated the earthquake had damaged buildings, disrupted classes and utility services, and forced evacuations in parts of Mindanao. Authorities had not yet released a full accounting of casualties or the extent of destruction as emergency assessments continued.
Regional Alerts
Tsunami-related warnings were also issued beyond the Philippines, including alerts for neighboring countries across the region as the threat from the offshore quake was evaluated. The warnings reflected concern that coastal areas could face waves within hours of the initial rupture.
