Video: Watson/Lucas Zollinger
June 8, 2026, 2:35 a.mJune 8, 2026, 11:31 am
After the severe earthquake off the coast of the southern Philippine province of Sarangani, the authorities have largely lifted the tsunami warnings. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook parts of the island of Mindanao in the morning (local time), causing buildings to collapse and driving people onto the streets in panic. The city of General Santos City, with around 700,000 inhabitants, was particularly affected.
Video: Watson/Lucas Zollinger
According to various authorities, at least 15 people were killed. 129 others were injured in the quake, Philippine Civil Defense Director Rod Sosmena told reporters.
He spoke of twelve deaths in three regions, most of them in the severely affected city of General Santos City. Disaster management confirmed three more deaths in Davao Occidental province. “The damage assessment and the registration of victims are still ongoing,” Sosmena continued. There are reports that people are trapped in a school. “But we don’t have an exact number yet,” he emphasized.
The epicenter was just south of the city of General Santos on the Philippine island of Mindanao.Image: phivolcs
The US tsunami warning center lifted its warning several hours after the earthquake. The authority had previously warned of waves up to three meters high. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it registered tidal waves of up to 1.4 meters in height in six coastal areas and initially continued to monitor the situation.
A collapsed building in the city of General Santos in southern Mindanao.Image: keystone
Smaller tidal waves in Indonesia
Smaller tsunami waves were also recorded in Indonesia, where the earthquakes were also clearly felt. However, according to the responsible authority, sea level rose only slightly. The tsunami warning there was also lifted.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Disaster Management Agency received reports of damage to schools, hospitals, shopping centers and churches. Several buildings in Mindanao partially or completely collapsed. General Santos City airport was temporarily closed.
The quake hit the region at 7:37 a.m. (local time) on the first day of the new school year. Flag-raising ceremonies were taking place at schools and authorities in many places – a blessing in disguise, as numerous students, teachers and employees were outdoors. Classes were suspended in the affected areas, as was work in many public and private institutions.
“We just screamed”
Many people reacted in panic to the violent earthquakes. «I thought it would be the end of me. I just started praying,” provincial reporter Noreen Ygonia told local media. “It shook so violently that I could hardly move.” A resident of the town of Koronadal said: “We just screamed because we were so scared.”
People gathered outside buildings (here in Davao City) out of caution for possible aftershocks.Image: keystone
According to school management, a building collapsed at a school in Davao del Sur province. Nobody was injured. “Luckily our flag ceremony was taking place and everyone was outside,” said school principal Elene Marie Jane Gamboa. The building was already damaged in an earthquake in 2019 and was scheduled to be demolished anyway.
What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised government support to those affected. The national government will not abandon Mindanao, he said. He is in constant contact with the regional authorities on site. He had previously called on the population: “Now move to higher areas. Don’t wait.” People’s lives are more important than anything they have to leave behind.
The Philippines and Indonesia lie on the Pacific Ring of Fire – a gigantic, horseshoe-shaped volcanic belt. Strong earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur particularly frequently there because several earth’s plates collide with each other.
(sda/dpa/nil)