7.8-magnitude earthquake kills 35 in Philippines

At least 35 people were killed, numerous buildings were damaged, and schools and flights were suspended after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Sarangani province in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, according to local authorities. Multiple countries had issued tsunami warnings, which were later lifted, reported Xinhua.

Junie Castillo, spokesperson for the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense, said 10 victims were reported in South Cotabato's General Santos, a port city with a population of over 700,000, and at least 12 people remain missing so far. The deaths were caused by falling debris, building collapse and landslides. The Philippine National Police earlier said that no fewer than 134 people were injured.

A two-story school building in General Santos collapsed with students trapped inside, and authorities said they are verifying details of the incident. Online videos show university and restaurant buildings collapsed in disaster-hit areas. Some commercial facilities sustained structural damage, with signs falling and window panes shattered. Local residents rushed outdoors to seek safety.

The powerful earthquake hit shortly after schools across the Philippines started reopening following the summer break. Surveillance footage from several schools captured violent shaking during the quake. Teachers and students either evacuated urgently or took shelter under desks. The number of schools affected by the earthquake has risen to 8,642 across 43 divisions in six regions, local media reported, citing figures from the Department of Education.

The General Santos International Airport suspended operations from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time for a full safety inspection. Three airlines canceled a total of 17 domestic flights. According to civil aviation authorities, landing and takeoff operations at the airport are currently limited to government, military, and humanitarian flights from 3 p.m. on Monday until 6 p.m on June 11.

The Philippines, Indonesia and Japan once issued alerts on tsunamis, and all warnings have been canceled.

Tsunami waves were recorded by sea level monitoring stations, with the highest wave height of 1.48 meters observed in Kiamba, Sarangani province, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said, noting that these observed wave heights are too small to cause damage.

Meanwhile, Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency urged the evacuation of residents to higher ground in northern coastal areas of the country threatened by tsunami waves following the powerful earthquake in the Philippines.

The quake has caused panic among residents in some coastal areas of northeastern Indonesia, according to local media reports. The tremor was felt across various cities and villages, but there have been no immediate reports of casualties.