Philippines Earthquake Kills 15, Sparks Tsunami Fears and Evacuations

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A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday morning, eight months after the country suffered its strongest earthquake in 12 years. The epicentre of the quake was located offshore, approximately 32km west of Maasim in Sarangani province.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at an estimated depth of 33km and was felt strongly in a dozen provinces as far from the epicentre as 420km in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported 138 aftershocks, with the highest magnitude being 6.7.

Philippine authorities are assessing the damage from the quake, with reports indicating at least 15 people feared dead and 129 injured, mostly due to falling debris. The full extent of the damage is yet unclear.

Tsunami alerts were issued in several countries, including the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia, and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island. Japan’s meteorological agency reported a tsunami advisory, with some disruption to ferries and precautionary beach closures. Australia also initially warned of potential tsunami waves on its northern coasts.

Witnesses in Indonesia’s Manado reported feeling the quake strongly, while minor damage was reported according to Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency. A tsunami with a wave height up to 0.75 metres was detected in some regions in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered an immediate disaster response in Mindanao, directing agencies to prepare relief supplies and evacuation centres. The Philippine military has deployed its disaster response units to affected areas.

Video footage showed the collapse of a building housing a fast food restaurant in General Santos city, with panicked onlookers fleeing as a cloud of dust spread quickly through the air. Images from authorities in Sarangani province showed damaged shop fronts with collapsed signs, smashed windows, and piles of rocks from crumbled concrete.

Source: Al Jazeera