At least 32 people lost their lives, and significant damage occurred to buildings, schools, and flights in Sarangani province, southern Philippines, due to a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday. The earthquake led to casualties in General Santos, with 10 reported deaths and 12 individuals still missing. The fatalities resulted from various causes such as falling debris, building collapses, and landslides.
A two-story school building collapsed in General Santos, trapping students inside, while other structures like universities and restaurants also suffered severe damage. Videos circulating online depict the destruction caused by the earthquake, with commercial establishments experiencing structural harm. In response to the disaster, local residents hurriedly sought safety by moving outdoors.
Following the earthquake, schools in the Philippines had just reopened after the summer break. Surveillance footage captured the intense shaking in several educational institutions, prompting teachers and students to evacuate or take cover under desks. The Department of Education ordered affected schools, accommodating over 5,800 students, to suspend classes to ensure their safety.
Operations at General Santos International Airport were halted for a safety inspection from 8:45 am to 3 pm local time, leading to the cancellation of 17 domestic flights by three airlines. The airport is currently limited to government, military, and humanitarian flights until June 11 at 6 pm. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8, struck near Mindanao at 7:37 am, with a recorded wave height of 1.4 meters.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed the earthquake’s details and reported that tsunami alerts issued by the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan have all been lifted.
