The magnitude 7.8 offshore earthquake damaged schools, homes, hospitals and roads across the southern Philippines.
DAVAO, Philippines — A powerful offshore earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 37 people, injuring hundreds and sending tsunami waves onto parts of Mindanao as rescue crews searched damaged buildings and landslide-hit villages.
The magnitude 7.8 quake hit at 7:37 a.m. near Sarangani province, just as many schools were reopening and workers were starting the day. Officials said more than 20,000 people were displaced, with inspections underway at homes, schools, government buildings, hospitals and roads. The toll remained subject to change as crews checked remote communities and aftershocks continued.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was centered offshore near Sarangani and was linked to movement along the Cotabato Trench. Shaking was felt widely across Mindanao and in nearby areas outside the Philippines. Rod Sosmeña, a regional civil defense official, said the shaking was strong enough to send residents rushing into streets. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the national government was moving relief supplies and rescue resources to Mindanao and ordered agencies to support affected local governments.
Officials reported deaths in General Santos, Sarangani and nearby provinces, including villagers killed by landslides in Glan. Buildings collapsed or suffered heavy damage in General Santos, a major port city in southern Mindanao. Crews searched a supermarket, school buildings and commercial sites for trapped people. One hospital was evacuated after cracks appeared in upper floors, and airport operations in General Santos were halted while inspectors checked facilities. Authorities said some people remained missing, and engineers had not yet cleared many damaged structures.
The quake also triggered tsunami alerts across parts of the region. Monitoring stations recorded waves up to about 1.4 meters in Kiamba and smaller waves in other coastal areas. Coastal communities were ordered to move to higher ground until the threat eased. Philippine authorities later lifted the tsunami warning, but officials said aftershocks could still cause landslides or further damage to weakened buildings.
The disaster struck on the first day of classes for many students after a school break. At one rural elementary school in Davao Occidental, students and teachers were gathered for a morning ceremony when the ground shook and a nearby canopy collapsed. School officials reported panic but no injuries at that campus. Education officials began checking thousands of classrooms across affected areas before allowing students to return.
Mindanao has faced several strong earthquakes in recent years, and the Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. Monday’s quake was among the strongest to strike the country in decades. Officials said the scale of damage would become clearer after road access improved, power service was restored in more communities and structural inspections were completed.
By late Monday, rescue teams were still working in General Santos, Glan and nearby towns while seismologists tracked more than 200 aftershocks. Authorities said updated casualty, damage and displacement figures were expected as local governments sent reports from hard-hit areas.
Author note: Last updated June 8, 2026.