Davao, Philippines – Web Desk: A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday morning, killing at least 15 people, injuring 129 others, and causing widespread damage to buildings, according to local authorities and emergency officials.
The earthquake struck at approximately 7:40 a.m. local time near Mindanao, triggering panic across affected areas as several buildings partially or completely collapsed.
Emergency response teams have been deployed to search for survivors and assess the extent of the damage. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue in the hardest-hit regions.
Following the powerful undersea earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued across parts of Asia, including coastal regions of the Philippines and northeastern Indonesia.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that waves of up to three meters (10 feet) could affect some Philippine coastal areas, while parts of Indonesia and Malaysia could experience waves reaching up to one meter.
Government agencies issued emergency alerts and urged residents in vulnerable coastal communities to move to higher ground and follow evacuation instructions issued by local authorities.
The Philippines lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active regions, making earthquakes and volcanic activity a frequent occurrence.
