A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least one person, causing building collapses, and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.
Authorities in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia urged coastal residents to immediately move to higher ground. The United States Geological Survey reported the quake was centered about 24 kilometers west of Sarangani province.
In General Santos City, a tuna-processing hub of over 700,000 people, at least one building collapsed. Police reported one death and four injuries, with rescue operations ongoing.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos suspended school classes in affected areas and called for immediate evacuation of coastal zones.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded tsunami waves of 1 meter in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned of possible waves up to 3 meters on some Philippine coasts, with potential impacts within three hours for the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea.
Japan issued a tsunami advisory for its Pacific coast, projecting waves up to one meter. Malaysia warned Sabah state on Borneo. Aftershocks up to 6.5 magnitude followed.
The quake was caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench at a depth of about 10 kilometers. The Philippines lies on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a zone of intense seismic activity.