A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani on Monday morning, June 8, killing at least 19 people, damaging buildings, disrupting utility services, and prompting the suspension of classes and government work in several areas across Mindanao on the opening day of the school year.

According to National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) spokesperson Diego Agustin Mariano, the death toll had risen to 19 as of 6 p.m.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. Initially recorded at magnitude 7.0, the quake was later upgraded to magnitude 7.8.

The earthquake's epicenter was located approximately 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim, Sarangani, at a depth of 33 kilometers.

Following the offshore quake, authorities in the Philippines and Indonesia issued tsunami warnings and urged residents in affected coastal communities to immediately move to higher ground.

Phivolcs warned that the first tsunami waves could arrive between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m. and could continue for several hours.

The strong tremor, which lasted about 30 seconds in Koronadal City, was felt across large parts of Mindanao and caused widespread disruptions to internet, electricity, and water services in South Cotabato and neighboring provinces.

Phivolcs reported Intensity VII in General Santos City; Intensity VI in Palimbang and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat; and Intensity V in Davao City, Kidapawan City, Carmen in Cotabato, Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino in Sultan Kudarat, as well as Sibuco and Siocon in Zamboanga del Norte.

Instrumental Intensity VIII was recorded in Malapatan, Sarangani, while Instrumental Intensity VII was registered in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental.

As the earthquake struck on the first day of classes for the new school year, students and teachers rushed out of classrooms while school officials activated emergency evacuation protocols.

The Cotabato City government suspended classes at all levels, while Kidapawan City suspended both classes and government work as authorities assessed possible structural damage.

At Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School and other schools in the city, students were evacuated as a precautionary measure. In Kidapawan City, concerned parents rushed to Kidapawan City Pilot Elementary School after feeling the tremor at around 7:40 a.m.

In General Santos City, portions of SM City General Santos reportedly sustained damage. Initial reports also indicated that several other buildings in the city were affected by the powerful shaking.

Phivolcs warned that damage and aftershocks were expected following the major earthquake. An aftershock was recorded at 7:49 a.m. and was felt in nearby areas.

Authorities continued conducting damage assessments, monitoring service disruptions, and coordinating emergency response operations across affected communities as rescue and relief efforts remained underway.(photo from PCTO)