Deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits southern Philippines

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted the southern Philippines on Monday, June 8, 2026, leading to widespread panic and significant damage. The United States Geological Survey confirmed the quake struck at a depth of approximately 35 kilometers, with the epicenter located off the shores of General Santos City in Sarangani province.

Early reports from the Office of Civil Defense confirmed several fatalities, with response teams actively working to verify more casualty reports. Images from General Santos City depicted collapsed convenience stores and buildings, while social media videos showed terrified elementary schoolchildren seeking shelter outdoors as the ground violently shook. A high school campus roof also collapsed in Davao Del Sur, though no injuries were reported in that specific incident.

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To our kababayans [countrymen] in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. immediately directed government agencies to "act immediately" to evacuate residents and commence rescue operations. He urged citizens in affected provinces to "heed the tsunami warning" and "move to higher ground now," emphasizing the importance of life over material possessions.

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated the immediate threat had largely passed, it advised continued vigilance and adherence to local authorities' warnings due to potential sea level fluctuations. The region's location within the "Ring of Fire," an area known for seismic activity, makes it prone to such events.

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This is the strongest earthquake we’ve experienced.