A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, Philippines, on June 8, 2026, resulting in at least 15 fatalities and significant destruction, especially in General Santos, the hardest-hit city. The earthquake, which occurred around 7:40 a.m. local time, triggered a tsunami warning across parts of Asia; however, the warning was later lifted, though it remained in effect for Japan’s southern coast.
Aftershocks persisted for over an hour, causing further concern. Visuals from the scene depicted the severe damage: a three-story building housing a Jollibee restaurant collapsed, and St. Elizabeth Hospital experienced major structural issues, necessitating an evacuation of patients. Schools in affected areas were ordered to close, impacting around 3.2 million students and 128,000 staff members.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilized emergency agencies to respond to the disaster, emphasizing the prioritization of child safety. Witness accounts described chaotic scenes, with trees shaking and erratic vehicle movements.
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