At least three dead, Tsunami warnings issued after 7.8-magnitude quake hits southern Philippines

A powerful earthquake struck off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday (8 June), killing at least 3 people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.

Philippine police said four people were injured in the magnitude 7.8 quake, which struck offshore near Mindanao.

Authorities also reported power outages, infrastructure damage and disruptions to communications in areas close to the epicentre.

Tsunami warnings were issued in the Philippines, neighbouring Indonesia by the U.S. Tsunami Warning System as residents in coastal communities were urged to move to higher ground as a precaution.

In General Santos, around 15 kilometres from the epicentre, local radio station DZBB reported falling furniture and damage to televisions and household appliances. Residents rushed from their homes as aftershocks continued.

The General Santos disaster office said officials were assessing reports of damage and injuries while aftershocks were still being felt.

Evacuations continue as authorities assess damage

In Sarangani province, near the epicentre, power and telecommunications services were disrupted and schools suspended classes, according to local disaster chief Rene Punzalan.

Authorities said assessments were continuing, with no immediate reports of collapsed buildings.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said the government was moving quickly to coordinate its response.

"The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind," Marcos said in a statement.

In Maasim town, disaster chief Arlene Hollero said evacuations were underway in coastal villages.

Water briefly receded after the quake, raising concerns about possible tsunami activity, although sea conditions later appeared normal, she said.

A bridge suffered cracks and a shrine topped by a large cross collapsed.

"It's devastating," Hollero told Reuters.

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Tsunami threat monitored across region

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned that tsunami waves exceeding one metre could affect coastal areas for several hours.

Indonesia's geophysics agency said waves measuring around 0.19 metres had been detected, while authorities there reported no immediate damage.

Witnesses in Indonesia's northern city of Manado and residents across southern Philippines said the earthquake was felt strongly.

Benjie Ancheta, police chief in the town of Alabel, said the local police station suffered cracks during the quake, which struck while officers were attending a flag-raising ceremony.

"This is the strongest earthquake we've experienced," Ancheta said.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences said the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres. It initially estimated the quake at magnitude 8.2 before revising it to 7.8.

The Philippines and Indonesia sit along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most active seismic zones, where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common.

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