A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines, killing at least 35 people and injuring more than 200 others. The tremors caused building collapses, landslides, and a tsunami up to one meter high. This was reported by the Associated Press, according to UNN.
The earthquake occurred on the morning of June 9 off the coast of the southern Philippines. The city of General Santos was hardest hit, where dozens of buildings collapsed or sustained significant damage.
According to local authorities, more than 200 people were injured, mostly due to the destruction of houses and other structures.
Separately, the earthquake triggered a massive landslide in the municipality of Glan, Sarangani province. As a result, 13 local residents were killed. Four more people died in other areas of the province.
Following the earthquake, a tsunami about one meter high hit the coast. Smaller waves were also recorded in Indonesia, Palau, and southern Japan.
Teresito Bacolcol, Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, stated that this is the most powerful earthquake in the country since the beginning of the year.
"People should seek expert advice before returning to damaged homes, as aftershocks could cause them to collapse," Bacolcol emphasized.
Rod Sosmeña, Regional Director of the Office of Civil Defense, said he was in General Santos during the earthquake.
"Our pickup truck suddenly jerked violently, and I initially thought we had a flat tire. The tremors were very strong; people were running out of their houses straight into the streets," he said.
The United States, a security treaty ally of the Philippines, expressed readiness to assist Manila in disaster relief efforts. Support was also voiced by France, Japan, and New Zealand.
As a reminder
As reported by UNN, a powerful earthquake occurred in the Philippines, resulting in at least 15 deaths, destroyed buildings, and tsunami warnings issued across Asia.