Magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Mindanao and caused a 1-meter tsunami; more than 200 people were injured
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines, leaving at least 4 dead and more than 200 injured. The quake triggered a 1-meter tsunami in areas close to the coast. The tremor was recorded at 7:37 am this Monday (June 8, 2026), local time – 8:37 pm on Sunday (June 7), in Brasília –, in the maritime region about 13 km from General Santos, a city with more than 700 thousand inhabitants on the island of Mindanao.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged residents of coastal areas to leave vulnerable regions. “Please obey the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Don’t wait. Your lives are more important than anything left behind.”these.
The PTWC (Pacific Tsunami Warning Center) stated that the greatest risk of a tsunami had passed about 5 hours after the tremor, but advised residents to follow local warnings, as sea levels could still fluctuate for a few hours. The Philippines’ seismology agency had issued a warning with the possibility of waves of 1 to 3 meters above tide level in parts of the country.
At least 3 deaths were recorded in General Santos, where small buildings partially collapsed and structures, including an important bridge accessing the city, had cracks considered dangerous, according to Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense. Another death was confirmed in Davao Oriental province by the Department of Health.
General Santos international airport was temporarily closed because of the earthquake, and 17 domestic flights were cancelled, according to civil aviation authorities cited by the agency. AP (Associated Press). More than 100 students suffered bruises or fainted during flag-raising ceremonies at schools in the region, according to Civil Defense Director Ednar Dayanghirang.
Waves of 1 meter were monitored in the Philippine provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. In Indonesia, a gauge recorded a tsunami of 83 centimeters near the island of Sulawesi. Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan have also issued warnings for nearby coastal areas.
The earthquake was caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench, according to Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology). The USGS (United States Geological Survey) recorded aftershocks of up to 6.5 magnitude.
Here are some videos of the tremor posted on social media:
Earthquake in General Santos City, The Philippines on June 8, 2026
— Noypi (@noypistuff)
Wow! Here’s another clip from a Davao City, Live Cam moments ago as a now 7.8M hit nearby prompting a Warning and knocking out the power to the camera.
— LiveCamChaser (@LiveCamChaser)
WATCH: We can see the ground shaking due to the magnitude 7.8 earthquake at Mahayahay Elementary School in Davao Occidental during the flag ceremony on the first day of school.
Teachers and students immediately implemented the safety and disaster preparedness protocols of…
— GMA News (@gmanews)
🚨 This is how the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Mindanao felt Polomolok, South Cotabato, Philippines · , video 1
— Joshtve_ (@Joshtve_)
Tsunami situation in the Philippines after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the region
— Surajit (@surajit_ghosh2)
In X, the president of the Philippines ordered the immediate action of government bodies. According to him, the OCD (Office of Civil Defense) and the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) coordinate the response and monitor the affected areas. He said he ordered the suspension of classes in the hard-hit regions of Mindanao until further guidance.
