By Staff Reporter

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — The death toll from a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani in the southern Philippines on Monday morning has risen to at least 15 people, according to disaster management authorities, as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings and damaged communities.

The earthquake struck at about 7:37 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located offshore near Sarangani Province on the southern island of Mindanao. The tremor triggered widespread panic, caused significant structural damage, and prompted tsunami warnings across several countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Authorities reported collapsed buildings, damaged schools, power outages, and disruptions to communication networks in some of the hardest-hit areas, including General Santos City. Emergency responders have been deployed to search for survivors feared trapped beneath debris.

Tsunami alerts were issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea, with waves of up to 1.4 metres recorded in some coastal areas. Thousands of residents were evacuated from vulnerable coastlines as a precaution.

The disaster struck on what was supposed to be the first day of the new academic year, forcing authorities to suspend classes and close schools across affected regions. Government offices in several areas were also shut as damage assessments got underway.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an immediate emergency response and directed national agencies to assess critical infrastructure and provide assistance to affected communities.

Officials have warned that the death toll could rise further as aftershocks continue and rescue operations remain ongoing across Mindanao.