Magnitude 7.8 earthquake in southern Philippines kills at least three, triggers tsunami alert
via Le Mauricien3 min read
A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, resulting in at least three deaths and the collapse of numerous buildings. The quake, which occurred on the first day of school, prompted a tsunami alert across the Pacific. Videos authenticated by AFP show children in Davao province screaming as their school collapsed, and a multi-story fast-food building in General Santos province also caved in. The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake at 07:37 AM local time, with its depth re-evaluated to 55 km. Over a dozen aftershocks followed. Authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia urged coastal residents to evacuate to higher ground, as the epicenter was located approximately 24 km off Sarangani province on Mindanao island. Police confirmed at least three fatalities and significant material damage. Roland Catoburan, Sarangani police spokesperson, stated that two people died in Alabel after a wall collapsed on them. Robert Dagon, a police official in General Santos, earlier reported one death and four injuries, noting that several buildings and homes had collapsed. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a warning for potential tsunami waves along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. suspended classes in affected areas of Mindanao and called for immediate evacuation from coastal zones, emphasizing that lives are paramount. In Kiamba, a coastal town n
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
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