Metro Manila, Philippines – A destructive magnitude 7.8 earthquake shook Sarangani province, including General Santos City, at 7:37 a.m. on Monday, June 8, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported.
It immediately released a tsunami and advised people in nearby areas to seek higher ground.
State seismologists first recorded a magnitude 7 tremor, and later upgraded it to magnitude 7.8 with the epicenter west of Maasim, Sarangan.
The Office of Civil Defense said data showed nearly 100 aftershocks, including a powerful magnitude 6.7 at 8:55 a.m. near Balut island, Sarangani in Davao Occidental.
The OCFAD said it was verifying reports of casualties but did not provide a number.
Building collapses and major structural damage have been reported in the city.
The Philippine Information Agency Sarangani-General Santos City (PIA SarGen) said power was out in some areas.
Meanwhile, the General Santos International Airport suffered heavy structural damage leaving 17 flights canceled.
The Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao also suspended all watercraft operations in Davao Occidental. This covers fishing boats, passenger vessels, and commercial watercraft.
According to Phivolcs, these are the instrumental intensities recorded in the region:
- Intensity VIII (very destructive) – Malapatan, Sarangani
- Intensity VII (destructive) – City of Koronadal, South Cotabato; Santa Maria, DAVAO OCCIDENTAL
- Intensity VI (very strong) – Gen. Santos; T’boli, South Cotabato
- Intensity V (strong) – Maasim, Sarangani; Santo Niño, and Surallah, South Cotabato; Isulan, Lebak, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Davao City; Digos City, and Magsaysay, Davao del Sur
- Intensity IV (moderately strong) – Kiamba, Malungon, Sarangani; Banga, and Tupi, South Cotabato Magpet, and M’lang, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, and Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat; Nabunturan, Davao de Oro; Zamboanga City
- Intensity III (weak) – Tantangan, South Cotabato; Columbio, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat; Alamada, Banisilan, Carmen, President Roxas, Cotabato; Kalilangan, Bukidnon; City of Gingoog, Misamis Oriental
- Intensity II (slightly felt) – Kumalarang, Zamboanga del Sur; Tubod, Lanao del Norte; Malaybalay City and Libona, Bukidnon; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Cagayan de Oro City; Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte; Balingasag, Misamis Oriental
- Intensity I (Scarcely perceptible) – Malitbog, Bukidnon; Magsaysay, Misamis Oriental
This is a developing story.
