At least 8 dead, several buildings collapse after 7.8 quake hits Mindanao

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck offshore Maasim, Sarangani on Monday morning, killing at least eight people and causing several buildings to collapse, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD). The quake, which jolted much of Mindanao, triggered immediate rescue operations as authorities assessed the full extent of damage across the affected areas. Reporting on the event, BusinessWorld cited initial tallies from regional disaster offices.

The OCD reported three deaths each in Davao Occidental and General Santos City, and two in South Cotabato. Multiple structures, including residential and commercial buildings, suffered partial or total collapse, trapping occupants and prompting search-and-rescue teams to deploy heavy equipment. Power outages and disrupted communications were also reported in several municipalities near the epicenter.

Local government units have activated emergency protocols, while the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) warned of aftershocks and ruled out a tsunami threat near the coast. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is coordinating with regional offices to provide assistance and conduct rapid damage assessments in the coming days.