Philippines Lifts Tsunami Warning After 7.8 Quake Kills 35 Near Mindanao
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
Philippines Lifts Tsunami Warning After 7.8 Quake Kills 35 Near Mindanao
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 8
Summary
At least 35 people were killed and more than 200 injured after a 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake struck near Mindanao, with the tsunami warning lifted by mid-afternoon as the threat largely passed.
Sarangani province was hit hardest: a landslide in Glan killed 13 villagers, while other deaths came from collapsing buildings and falling debris in General Santos, South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island.
The quake struck 33 km deep about 32 km southwest of Maasim, damaged low-rise buildings, and sent smaller waves to Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan; tsunami damage was reported in one southern coastal village.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr canceled classes and ordered disaster agencies into affected provinces, while the United States said it was coordinating with Manila and France, Japan and New Zealand also offered support.
The 7.8 tremor was the Philippines' strongest this year, underscoring the country's exposure to frequent earthquakes and eruptions on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
Did the Philippines' new disaster plan and command centers prove effective during this major earthquake?
With a national plan to improve building safety, why did so many structures collapse in the southern Philippines?
The June 8, 2026 Mindanao Earthquake: Human Toll, Emergency Response, and Future Preparedness
Overview
On June 8, 2026, a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Mindanao, Philippines, causing widespread panic and severe disruption, especially in General Santos City where residents experienced unprecedented shaking and fear. The disaster led to significant infrastructure damage, including building collapses, and turned the first day of school in Malita into chaos as the academic year was abruptly halted. Immediate emergency response efforts were launched by authorities and humanitarian organizations to address urgent needs, while the event highlighted the region’s vulnerability to seismic risks and the importance of preparedness and resilient infrastructure for future safety.