Philippines earthquake death toll rises to 37 as search efforts continue

Tuesday 09 June 2026 - 08:18

By: Dakir Madiha

Philippines earthquake death toll rises to 37 as search efforts continue

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least 37 people and injuring hundreds, as emergency crews continued searching for survivors on Tuesday. Authorities reported widespread destruction across several provinces, with thousands of families affected by the disaster.

The Philippine Office of Civil Defense said the death toll had climbed to 37, including 33 fatalities in Region 12 and four in Region 11. Civil defense spokesperson Junie Castillo said most victims were killed by falling debris, collapsing structures, and landslides triggered by the quake. At least 456 people were injured in Region 12 alone, while four others remained missing. More than 17,000 families were affected across the region.

The earthquake struck at approximately 7:37 a.m. local time at a depth of about 35 kilometers. The epicenter was located roughly 30 kilometers southwest of Maasim in Sarangani province. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines since the magnitude 7.9 Moro Gulf earthquake in 1976, one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country's history.

One of the most severe incidents occurred in the mountainous town of Glan, Sarangani province, where a landslide buried several homes and killed 13 residents. In General Santos City, seven people died after multiple small buildings collapsed, including a restaurant. Rescue teams continued clearing debris and searching damaged areas for possible survivors.

The earthquake also triggered tsunami warnings across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Waves reaching 1.4 meters were recorded in Kiamba, Sarangani province, while waves of around 90 centimeters struck parts of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. In Indonesia, tsunami waves measuring 82 centimeters were detected near Sulawesi. Waves of about 30 centimeters reached Palau, and Japan recorded waves close to 20 centimeters on the remote island of Chichijima.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later announced that the immediate threat had largely passed about five hours after the earthquake. Philippine authorities lifted the tsunami warning later on Monday. More than 200 aftershocks were recorded following the main quake, including one measuring magnitude 6.7, prompting officials to warn residents to remain alert.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all relevant government agencies to accelerate evacuation and relief operations. The Department of Social Welfare and Development mobilized more than 1.1 million food packs for distribution to affected communities. Schools across Mindanao were temporarily closed as authorities focused on emergency response and public safety.

Several countries, including France, China, Israel, Japan, and the United States, offered assistance and support following the disaster. Philippine officials said recovery efforts would continue in the coming days as rescue teams assess damage, assist displaced families, and monitor ongoing seismic activity.