Death toll rises to 32 after powerful Mindanao earthquake; rescue operations intensify

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities continued search, rescue, and relief operations Tuesday following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani, Mindanao. Casualty figures remained under verification, with official reports citing at least 19 deaths, 134 injuries, and seven missing persons, while some international media reports placed the death toll between 32 and 35.

The earthquake struck in the early morning approximately 20 kilometers off the coast of Sarangani province. Strong tremors were felt throughout Mindanao and as far away as Manado in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, about 420 kilometers from the epicenter.

Philippine disaster response agencies, supported by military units, have been deployed to affected areas as officials verify reports indicating 32 fatalities and 134 injuries. Most casualties were attributed to falling debris, structural collapses, and landslides triggered by the quake.

Tsunami warnings issued across parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia were lifted more than six hours after the earthquake. Coastal residents in affected areas had been ordered to evacuate to higher ground as a precaution.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to undertake immediate disaster response measures across Mindanao, including the prepositioning of relief supplies, activation of evacuation centers, and readiness for potential rescue missions.

“The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind,” the president said in a statement.

Initial damage assessments identified General Santos City as one of the hardest-hit areas. Buildings, commercial establishments, and public infrastructure sustained varying degrees of damage. Some structures suffered shattered glass and damaged facades, while others collapsed into rubble.

Video footage released by local authorities showed the collapse of a building that housed a fast-food restaurant. Witnesses were seen fleeing as dust and debris filled the surrounding area.

A hospital in General Santos City was evacuated after concerns emerged over structural cracks in upper floors. Meanwhile, one building at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University collapsed, though authorities reported no occupants were inside at the time.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported more than 200 aftershocks following the main quake. At least nine were strong enough to be widely felt across Mindanao, with the strongest registering magnitude 6.7.

The earthquake occurred as schools across the country were resuming classes following an extended break. Videos circulating online showed students seeking cover before evacuating school grounds as structures shook violently.

In Alabel, Sarangani, Police Chief Benjie Ancheta said the earthquake struck during a flag-raising ceremony, causing panic among attendees.

“This is the strongest earthquake we’ve experienced,” Ancheta said.

The United States Tsunami Warning System initially warned that multiple countries could experience tsunami impacts. Australia issued precautionary alerts for parts of its northern coastline, while Japan reported minor tsunami activity measuring 0.2 meters or less, prompting temporary ferry disruptions and precautionary beach closures.

In Indonesia, residents of Manado and nearby areas also reported strong shaking. Authorities there recorded only minor damage. Indonesia’s disaster mitigation agency said tsunami waves of up to 0.75 meters were detected in parts of North Sulawesi, prompting evacuations in several coastal communities, including the remote Sangihe Islands near the Philippine border.

The latest disaster comes eight months after a deadly magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off Cebu, killing 79 people. Two additional powerful earthquakes hit Mindanao weeks later, including one measuring magnitude 7.4.

The Philippines lies along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, where frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity occur due to the movement of major tectonic plates. Authorities continue to assess damage while monitoring aftershock activity across the region.

This report is prepared for international distribution and includes material sourced from wire reporting, including Reuters. This is a developing story and will be updated as additional information becomes available.