The southern Philippines was rocked by a devastating earthquake on June 8, 2026, with a magnitude of 7.8. The powerful quake, centered off the coast of Mindanao, resulted in at least 35 fatalities and injured more than 200 people. The seismic event also triggered a tsunamicausing a 1-meter wave to crash into nearby coasts, exacerbating the damage.

The earthquake, the strongest to hit the Philippines this year, caused widespread destruction. In the hard-hit city of General Santos, several low-rise buildings collapsed or sustained heavy damage. The tsunami also caused damage in at least one coastal village, while smaller waves were measured in Indonesia, Palau, and even as far away as southern Japan.

The Epicenter and Initial Impact

The quake’s epicenter was located about 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province, at a depth of 33 kilometers. The seismic activity triggered a landslide in Glan, Sarangani, which claimed the lives of 13 villagers. Four additional villagers died in Sarangani under unclear circumstances.

Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, recounted his experience during the quake: “Our pickup truck suddenly jerked, and I thought we had a flat tire. The shaking was very strong, and people dashed out of houses into the streets.”

Schools and Infrastructure Affected

The earthquake struck just as schools were reopening after a two-month summer break. In Malita, Davao Occidental province, more than 100 students and a dozen teachers were gathered for a flag-raising ceremony when the ground shook. School principal Rosavel Cachuela described the scene: “Their excitement on the first day of school turned to trauma.” Fortunately, most students remained seated and still, preventing any injuries, although a motorcycle was damaged when a shed crumbled to the ground.

The international airport in General Santos was temporarily shut down, and 17 domestic flights were canceled. The DZRH radio network in Manila reported that a four-story commercial building where its provincial station was located partly collapsed, but staffers managed to evacuate without injuries.

Government Response and International Support

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the cancellation of classes and directed disaster-response agencies to immediately assist the affected provinces. He assured the public that “the national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind.” The United States, France, Japan, and New Zealand expressed their support and readiness to assist in the response efforts.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and Philippine officials lifted the tsunami warning by mid-afternoon, but the damage had already been done. Six shanties on stilts were damaged in a coastal village in Zamboanga del Sur province due to the quake and taller waves.

The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is no stranger to natural disasters. The archipelago is frequently hit by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and about 20 typhoons and tropical storms each year, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.