Breaking: At least 8 killed in earthquake and 1.4-meter tsunami in southern Philippines

MANILA, June 8, 2026 (Xinhua) -- At least five people were reported killed following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the waters off the southern Philippines, according to a local disaster management official.

Agripino D'Acerra, head of disaster management in General Santos City, said authorities are still assessing the extent of human casualties and damage.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology explained that the tectonic earthquake occurred at 7:37 a.m. local time, at a depth of 33 kilometers, and its epicenter was 32 kilometers southwest of the coast of Massim City in Sarangani province on the island of Mindanao, near General Santos City, which has a population of about 700,000.

The institute added that the highest recorded wave reached a height of 1.4 meters. Local media reported that some buildings collapsed and power outages occurred, while tremors were felt in neighboring provinces.

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos ordered an intensification of disaster response and monitoring efforts in the affected areas and urged residents to move to higher ground in compliance with the evacuation order.

The Philippines experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area that includes the boundaries of major tectonic plates and is known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.