LiveEight reported dead after 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Philippines

In Pictures: Buildings collapse in Philippines’ Mindanao following 7.8-magnitude quake

Several buildings collapsed in cities in the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit at around 7.30am on Monday.

At least eight people are reported to have died.

A series of powerful aftershocks also followed, with the largest measuring magnitude 6.5, according to the United States Geological Survey.

PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERS

Philippine disaster agency confirms 8 dead following quake

The Philippines’ disaster agency has confirmed that eight people are dead following Monday’s earthquake, AFP reported.

A police officer said earlier that two people had been crushed to death by a collapsing wall in Alabel, a municipality near General Santos City.

Japan suspends ferry services, shuts some schools amid tsunami advisory

Walter Sim Japan Bureau Chief

Some elementary and junior high schools along coastal Japan, including the town of Yugawara in the foothills of Mount Hakone, have been shut as a precaution while a tsunami advisory remains in effect following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake off Mindanao in the Philippines on June 8.

Ferry services plying affected waters, including Tokyo Bay and around Okinawa islands, have been suspended. Shinkansen services running along coastal routes are still in operation, while airports across the Okinawa islands remain open.

This comes as Japan's weather agency issued a tsunami advisory covering the country's Pacific coast from Ibaraki Prefecture in eastern Japan to Okinawa Prefecture in the southwest.

The advisory covers the coastal areas of Ibaraki, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Wakayama, Kochi, Miyazaki, Kagoshima and Okinawa, affecting approximately 181,500 people across nearly 96,000 households.

Tsunami waves reaching a maximum height of 1m are forecast to progressively reach Japan's coast.

"Please take precautions and stay away from coastal areas," Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a post on X, adding that the public should be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if necessary based on advice from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

While a tsunami of "a few centimetres" was observed off Okinawa City at 12.18pm (11.18am Singapore time), the JMA warned the public not to let their guard down because tsunamis caused by distant earthquakes, such as those overseas, tend to have subsequent waves higher than the first. It could also take several hours before the maximum wave is observed.

Masashi Kiyomoto, an earthquake and tsunami countermeasures planning officer at the JMA, told a news conference that the agency had also issued tsunami advisories in December 2023, when a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao.

At that time, tsunami waves reaching a maximum of 40cm were observed off the island of Hachijijoma, south of Tokyo, and the tsunami advisories remained in effect for nine hours before being lifted, Kiyomoto said.

Malaysia lifts tsunami warnings, PM Anwar says ready to assist Philippines

Malaysia has lifted the tsunami warnings issued after a 7.8-magnitude struck Mindanao in the Philippines.

The warnings were lifted at 12pm, Malaysia’s weather agency said in a Facebook post at around 12.20pm.

MetMalaysia added that the update will be the last information it will provide in relation to the earthquake, unless additional information comes in later.

The agency had earlier said tsunami waves measuring 0.4m are expected to hit the coastal areas of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu in Sabah, where tremors were felt.

“I wish to express my deepest concern following the powerful earthquake that struck off the southern Philippines earlier this morning,” Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in a post on Facebook.

He added that Malaysia stands ready to render assistance, and that their thoughts and prayers are with the Filipino people.

Philippine police says at least three dead from 7.8-magnitude quake

Philippine police said that at least three people were reported dead and four injured following the Mindanao quake.

There were no immediate details about the reported fatalities.

Police Major Roland Catoburan told AFP that two people had been crushed to death by a collapsing wall in Alabel, a municipality near General Santos City.

Separately, the General Santos City police said earlier that buildings and houses have collapsed, but were unable to provide a figure on how many were affected as rescue works are ongoing.

Philippine authorities have urged people in affected coastal regions to move to higher ground after the offshore quake hit south of General Santos, a city of about 720,000.

Regional disaster chief Agripino Dacera said 80 per cent of the population has moved to higher ground.

A series of powerful aftershocks rocked the area from about two hours after the first quake, according to the United States Geological Survey, with the largest measuring magnitude 6.5.

Indonesia lifts tsunami warning

Indonesian authorities have lifted the tsunami warning earlier issued following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao in the Philippines.

The announcement was made by the country’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) in a Facebook post at around 11.20am, around four-and-a-half hours after the warnings were initially issued.

The agency recorded small tsunami waves in at least nine locations in Indonesia.

According to BKMG director Wijayanto, none of the waves exceeded 1m in height, and the highest wave recorded was 0.75m in Sangihe island.

“Regarding building damage caused by the earthquake, so far there has been no damage affecting the structural integrity of the buildings,” Dr Wijayanto said, adding that damages are limited to falling wall plaster, collapsed walls, and fences.

Officials were earlier instructed to direct residents to evacuate from areas deemed to be at risk, including the North Sulawesi capital, Manado, northern Gorontalo province and the Sangihe islands.

6.1-magnitude aftershock hits southern Philippines: USGS

A magnitude 6.1 aftershock rocked the southern Philippines, hours after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed at least one person, collapsed buildings and triggered regional tsunami warnings.

The second quake struck at a depth of 67km about 8km north-north-west of Mindanao island’s Sarangani province, the USGS said.

Tsunami waves of 0.4m expected to hit coastal areas in Sabah, tremors felt in Malaysia

Tsunami waves measuring 0.4m are expected to hit the coastal areas of Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu in Sabah, Malaysia’s weather agency said.

The waves are expected to arrive between 10.30am and 12pm, MetMalaysia said in a post on Facebook.

Tsunami advisory sirens have been sounded in the four locations as a precautionary measure, as well as to warn residents early.

Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability urged all residents in the affected areas to provide full cooperation and immediately comply with all evacuation or safety instructions issued by local authorities.

Residents should also avoid approaching coastal areas during the specified time period for their safety, he added.

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Philippine Red Cross on highest alert after earthquake

The Philippine Red Cross has issued its highest alert level, after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao.

“The Philippine Red Cross has been mobilised and are now on the ground, assessing structural damage, and actively coordinating emergency evacuation, assets and relief operations,” the organisation said in a post on Facebook.

Chairman and CEO Richard J. Gordon also urged residents to be the Philippine Red Cross’ eyes and ears on the ground.

“Please prioritise your safety, cooperate with local evacuations, and move inland immediately,” he said.

Flights to Mindanao’s General Santos City suspended, guests checked out of beach resort hotel

Flights to Mindanao’s General Santos City have been suspended, Bloomberg reported, citing local radio DZMM.

Van Ruiz, a staff member at a beach resort in Sarangani Bay, said by phone that all their guests are being checked out and that the hotel building has suffered some damage.

Government work in several areas - including in Davao City - have been suspended, according to media reports.

“I couldn’t even stand, it was so strong. Everything in my house fell down,” General Santos City resident Tomas Alon told radio station DZBB.

“It probably took me one minute before I got down from the second floor.”