7.8-magnitude Philippines earthquake injures 134, triggers evacuations and aftershocks; tsunami wave up to 1.4m recorded

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao early Monday, killing at least 32 people, injuring 134 and collapsing several commercial buildings, officials and local reports said. The temblor — one of the strongest to hit the Philippines in recent years — also produced tsunami waves measured at up to 1.4 metres (about 4.6 feet) and prompted mass evacuations along coastal areas.

Quake and immediate impact
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake occurred at 5:07 am Indian Standard Time with an epicentre located roughly 35 km beneath the surface near Mindanao. Initial reports and local officials said shops, offices and other commercial structures sustained heavy damage in cities and towns near the epicentre, and some buildings collapsed.

Philippine authorities put the confirmed death toll at 32 but cautioned the figure remained provisional pending verification by the national disaster agency. “Fatalities are still being validated,” a spokesperson said. Local civil defence offices reported at least seven people missing and 134 injured as rescue teams moved into the hardest-hit areas.

Tsunami alerts and waves
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) recorded tsunami activity in six Mindanao locations, with the highest sea surge reaching 1.4 metres. PHIVOLCS later lifted tsunami alerts for southern provinces after an extended observation period found the disturbances too small to cause further damage, the agency said in an advisory.

Neighbours briefly issued warnings. Indonesia and Malaysia raised tsunami advisories for some coastal sectors, and agencies including Japan’s meteorological service and the US tsunami warning system issued alerts for parts of the wider region. Most regional warnings were withdrawn within hours as wave heights diminished and risks receded.

Aftershocks and ongoing danger
By 11 am local time PHIVOLCS had logged 138 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7. Officials warned that strong aftershocks can continue for days and may further damage already weakened structures, complicating rescue operations. “Aftershocks remain a serious concern,” a disaster-response official said, urging people to avoid unstable buildings.

Ground reports and local response
Scenes from General Santos City and neighbouring provinces showed people rushing into the streets at dawn, with power outages reported in parts of the city. Regional authorities published photographs showing cracked walls, damaged shopfronts and a partially collapsed police station in Alabel town, Sarangani province.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered immediate evacuations in coastal zones and suspended classes across parts of Mindanao. He directed government agencies to begin relief and search-and-rescue operations, the presidential office said. Tens of thousands of residents were reported moving to higher ground in the hours after the quake.

Why the Philippines is vulnerable
The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of intense seismic and volcanic activity that stretches across the Pacific Basin. Tectonic plate movements make the country prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, and it also faces about 20 typhoons annually. The recent disaster follows a deadly October 2025 quake in Cebu that killed dozens and injured many more.

Humanitarian and infrastructure concerns
Rescue teams are prioritising trapped and injured people while assessing damage to roads, communications and power lines that hamper response efforts. Local hospitals reported a surge of patients; medical teams are triaging injuries and preparing for possible increases should aftershocks trigger new collapses.

What comes next
Authorities said search-and-rescue operations would continue through the day and formal casualty verification would be completed as teams reach isolated areas. Phivolcs and disaster-response agencies urged residents to stay clear of damaged structures and to heed evacuation orders. International monitoring agencies will continue to track aftershocks and any further sea-level changes.

Related coverage will follow as officials release verified casualty lists and more details on the scale of infrastructure damage and relief measures.

5.2-magnitude quake jolts Guangxi, two dead and thousands evacuated

Earthquake in Liuzhou damages buildings, prompts mass evacuations and ongoing rescue operations

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early Monday, killing two people, collapsing several buildings and forcing more than 7,000 residents in Liuzhou to evacuate, authorities said. Rescue teams continued searches in the hours after the tremor while officials inspected transport links and infrastructure for damage.

Immediate impact
According to provincial emergency management officials, the quake hit in the pre-dawn hours near Liuzhou city. Initial reports said 13 buildings collapsed and one person remained missing; four others were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. Local news outlets said the two fatalities were confirmed late morning after search teams recovered victims from damaged structures.

Evacuations and shelter
More than 7,000 people were evacuated from the most affected neighbourhoods of Liuzhou, the city government said. Municipal authorities set up temporary shelters in community centres and schools, providing basic supplies and medical attention. Social media posts from residents in the area described panicked evacuations in the early hours, with families leaving homes barefoot and children clutching belongings.

Timeline and ground cues
Residents reported feeling strong shaking for several seconds around 3:30am local time, followed by aftershocks that kept people outdoors for hours. “My apartment shook so hard the lights went out,” a local resident told state media. Emergency services said aftershock activity continued through the morning, complicating rescue work and inspections of unstable buildings.

Infrastructure checks
Railway and transport officials dispatched inspection teams to check tracks and bridges on key routes serving Liuzhou. Authorities warned of possible delays as lines were examined, though state reporting added that power, water, gas and major road links were functioning normally in most parts of the city. Telecommunications providers reported largely intact mobile and landline services, helping coordinate relief.

Rescue operations
Search-and-rescue teams from Liuzhou and neighbouring prefectures were mobilised, with heavy machinery brought in to clear rubble where collapses occurred. Local hospitals activated emergency protocols to treat those injured, while volunteer groups delivered blankets and food to shelters. Officials cautioned residents to avoid damaged areas to let responders work and to follow directives from emergency personnel.

Official response and statements
Provincial authorities convened an emergency meeting early on Monday to coordinate relief and damage assessment. “Rescue operations are ongoing,” a provincial emergency management spokesperson said in a brief statement carried by state media. No detailed cause was provided beyond standard geological explanations; seismological agencies said the quake was likely the result of shallow crustal fault movement common to the region.

Background on seismic risk
Guangxi is not among China’s most seismically active provinces, but earthquakes do occur periodically in southern China due to complex interactions between tectonic blocks. Seismologists say shallow, moderate-magnitude quakes can still cause substantial local damage if they strike populated areas with vulnerable buildings. The China Earthquake Networks Center usually issues rapid assessments after such events to guide relief.

Public safety and precautions
Local authorities urged residents to stay calm, avoid entering structurally compromised buildings and follow official evacuation routes. Hospitals posted advisories for non-critical patients to defer visits where possible to keep capacity for trauma care. Schools in the worst-hit districts were closed for inspections, with decisions on reopening to be made after structural checks.

What happens next
Teams are conducting a fuller damage assessment and compiling lists of displaced residents needing longer-term shelter. Railway inspections will determine whether any services must be suspended or speed-restricted for safety. Seismologists will monitor aftershocks and release updates as data comes in.

The quake’s human toll and disruption underline the challenges cities face when moderate seismic events strike built-up areas. For now, relief and search operations remain the priority as authorities work to account for the missing and stabilise damaged sites.