As it happened: Magnitude 7.8 earthquake strikes southern Philippines, triggering tsunami warnings
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Philippines near Mindanao, causing significant damage and casualties. Authorities ordered immediate evacuations in coastal areas of the Philippines and Indonesia. Tsunami warnings were issued across the Asia-Pacific region following the quake.
Authorities ordered evacuations in coastal areas of the Philippines and Indonesia after the quake struck near Mindanao, while Japan and Malaysia also issued tsunami advisories.
A man walks near a collapsed building after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, Jun 8, 2026. (Photo: GenSan DEV/Handout via REUTERS)
(Updated: 08 Jun 2026 02:26PM)
A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippines on Monday (Jun 8) killed more than a dozen people, damaged buildings and triggered tsunami warnings and advisories across the Asia-Pacific region.
Authorities ordered evacuations in coastal areas of the Philippines and Indonesia after the quake struck near Mindanao, while Japan and Malaysia also issued tsunami advisories.
As the day progressed, some alerts were lifted, but officials continued to monitor conditions and assess the extent of the damage.
Read our live coverage below as the events unfolded.
What we know
- The epicentre of this morning's 7.8-magnitude earthquake was 13km southwest of General Santos, one of the Philippines' southernmost major cities.
- This is the strongest quake to hit the Philippines this year, according to the country's Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
- Classes in all levels are suspended across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice, while evacuations warnings have been issued to coastal residents in nine provinces.
- Malaysia and Indonesia have lifted tsunami warnings that were issued following the quake.
Death toll climbs to at least 15
The Philippines' civil defence office has reported at least 15 fatalities as of 2.08pm following this morning's magnitude-7.8 earthquake off Mindanao.
Meanwhile, Philippine police across Mindanao have also been placed on heightened alert to assist in evacuation efforts and support relief operations.
Police said they are fully committed to supporting ongoing disaster response efforts and ensuring the safety and security of affected communities.
Local authorities are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage, with rescue efforts currently underway.
That concludes our live coverage for now. Thank you for joining us.
This live page was edited by Gary Lim, Darcel Al Anthony, Samuel Ng and Daphne Yow.
Malaysia ready to assist Philippines: Anwar
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has expressed solidarity with the Philippines following this morning's powerful earthquake, saying Kuala Lumpur stands ready to provide any assistance required.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Filipino people. Malaysia stands ready to render whatever assistance may be required," he said in a Facebook post.
Anwar also noted that the impact of the quake was felt closer to home, with tremors reported in parts of the Malaysian state of Sabah, and that the government was closely monitoring the situation.
Bridges affected by Mindanao quake
Several structures in General Santos City, including a key access bridge, have sustained dangerous cracks, according to Rod Sosmena, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense.
A church in General Santos was also damaged by the earthquake, while local authorities in Surigao del Sur province have temporarily closed a bridge for 24 hours for inspections.
Davao City separately urged motorists to exercise "extreme caution" after cracks were discovered on another bridge.
Quake death toll rises to 8
The Philippines' civil defence office has reported at least eight fatalities, following this morning's magnitude-7.8 earthquake.
The deaths are still subject to validation, the office added.
Malaysia lifts tsunami advisory
The Malaysian Meteorological Department has ended its tsunami advisory at 12pm, almost 3.5 hours after it was first issued.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also said the tsunami threat had largely passed after the Philippine earthquake generated waves across the region.
It earlier warned that tsunami waves were possible "within the next three hours" along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
What should communities watch out for?
Shaking is the first hazard caused by earthquakes, followed by fires, tsunamis and landslides, said earthquake scientist Grace Sethanant.
“There can be those compound hazards that happen in a single earthquake,” noted the research fellow in earthquake science at the University of Melbourne.
Emergency responders will have to work together to understand the different dangers that could crop up, she told CNA’s Asia Now.
From historical data, aftershocks tend to be around 1.0 magnitude lower than the main quake.
This means people can expect the largest aftershocks to be up to a 6.7 magnitude – and this can happen in the coming days or weeks, said Dr Sethanant.
“The challenge would be the emergency responders getting to people that need help in buildings,” she noted.
“If we can observe any damage in the main structure of the house, it would be wise to not re-enter those structures to help the emergency responders work more efficiently.”
A magnitude-6.1 aftershock has since rocked the southern Philippines, striking at a depth of 67km and about 8km north by northwest of Mindanao's Sarangani province.
IN PICTURES: Damage after powerful Mindanao earthquake
The powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake damaged buildings and shook communities across the southern Philippines.
General Santos City, located about 13km from the quake's epicentre, was among the hardest-hit areas.
A collapsed building is seen after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in General Santos City on Jun 8, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Edwin Espejo)
This frame grab made from UGC video footage shows bystanders reacting to the collapse of a Jollibee fast food restaurant in a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in General Santos City on Jun 8, 2026. (Image: AFP/Queenie Rose Adaya)
Students at a primary school gather at an open space as the earthquake hits the Philippines on Jun 8, 2026. (Image: Facebook/Deped Mahayahay Elementary School)
Eight individuals, including five students, were brought to City Health Office - Outpatient Department in Panabo City after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake. (Photo: Facebook/Philippine Information Agency Davao Region)
Matanao National High School in Matanao, Davao del Sur, sustained significant structural damage following the earthquake that struck near General Santos City on Jun 8, 2026. (Photo: Facebook/Philippine Information Agency Davao Region)
Personnel of Coast Guard District South Eastern Mindanao are conducting coastal monitoring and assessment operations following the earthquake on Jun 8, 2026. (Photo: Facebook/Philippine Information Agency Davao Region)
WATCH: Quake jolts students, teachers at Mindanao school
Students and teachers at Mahayahay Elementary School in Davao Occidental province scrambled for safety when a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck during their flag ceremony this morning.
Classes in all levels have since been suspended across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice.
Indonesia lifts tsunami warning
Indonesia's geophysics agency says it has lifted a tsunami warning issued after this morning's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in the Philippines.
The tsunami warning ended 4.5 hours after being issued, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG) website.
The agency recorded small tsunami waves in at least nine locations in Indonesia, with the highest recorded at 0.75m in Sangihe island.
Officials in the highest risk areas - the North Sulawesi capital, Manado, northern Gorontalo province and the Sangihe island - were earlier instructed to immediately direct residents to evacuate to higher ground.
source: CNA https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/live-philippines-mindanao-earthquake-tsunami-6168141
