Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck about 32 kilometers offshore west of Maasim in Sarangani province, Mindanao, Philippines, at 7:37am local time, triggering tsunami alerts and prompting coastal evacuations in parts of the Philippines and neighboring countries.
Initial reports from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) state at least 19 people were killed, 12 remain missing, and over 134 were injured, though these numbers are provisional as assessments continue. Many fatalities occurred in Sarangani province, including deaths caused by landslides.
The quake generated more than 138 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1.3 to 6.7, resulting in significant damage to schools, hospitals, government buildings, homes, and other infrastructure. Power outages, telecommunications blackouts, and damaged roads and bridges have disrupted access in several areas. Operations at General Santos International Airport were temporarily suspended before limited resumption.
Millions of students were affected as the quake struck on the first day of the new school year across Mindanao. Over 3.2 million learners saw classes suspended in more than 6,200 public and private schools pending structural safety inspections. UNICEF expressed concern about injuries to students, damage to school facilities, and the potential psychological impact on children, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the safety of learners and teachers.
The Philippine government placed disaster management teams on red alert and activated humanitarian coordination mechanisms. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered immediate government response while search, rescue, and retrieval operations continued.