At least 15 feared dead , 129 injured after magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao

UPDATED (JUNE 8, 2026; 2:45 P.M.) — Philippine authorities said at least 15 people were feared dead on Monday after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the island of Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings across several countries.

The quake came early in the morning as schools were reopening in the Philippines after a long break, with the tremors felt strongly in a dozen provinces and 420 km (261 miles) away in the city of Manado on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Tsunami alerts were issued in the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island after the quake with an epicenter located about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) off Mindanao's Sarangani province.

Various Philippine government agencies are assessing the damage from the quake and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is verifying initial reports that 15 people had been killed and 129 injured in the region, mostly from falling debris.

A road closure signage is placed near a collapsed building after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Philippines, June 8, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Edwin Espejo

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said various Philippine government agencies such as the OCD, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and local government units are working togehter to ensure the safety and security of residents in earthquake-affected areas.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the PNP said, "The PNP urges all residents to follow evacuation instructions, move to higher ground, and prioritize personal safety. All units are monitoring the situation in real time and are ready to provide immediate assistance wherever needed."

"PNP personnel across Mindanao have been placed on heightened alert to assist in evacuation efforts, secure critical infrastructure, and support relief operations. The police are ensuring that roads and access routes are clear for rescue teams and that evacuation centers are safe and orderly for displaced residents, particularly in coastal communities under the tsunami warning," it said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) said the following earthquake intensities were reported in these areas:

Intensity VII: General Santos City

Intensity VI: Palimbang, and Senator Ninoy Aquino, Sultan Kudarat

Intensity V : Davao City; City of Kidapawan, and Carmen, Cotabato; Bagumbayan, Kalamansig, and President Quirino, Sultan Kudarat; Sibuco, and Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte

Intensity IV : City of Mati, Davao Orienta; Buug, Zamboanga Sibugay; Caraga, Manay, and Tarragona, Davao Oriental

Intensity III: City of Butuan; Mainit, Surigao del Norte; City of Dapitan, Zamboanga del Norte; Kumalarang, Vincenzo Sagun, Zamboanga del Sur

Intensity II: City of Dipolog, Labason, Liloy, President Manuel A. Roxas, and Salug Zamboanga del Norte; Alicia, Ipil, Mabuhay, Olutanga, and Siay, Zamboanga Sibugay; Molave, Zamboanga del Sur; Abuyog, and Dulag, Leyte; San Francisco, Southern Leyte

Instrumental intensities:

Intensity VII - City of Koronadal, Sarangani Santa Maria, Davao Occidental

Intensity V: CITY OF Davao

Intensity III: Abuyog, Leyte

Intensity II : San Francisco, Southern Leyte; Dulag, Leyte

Children react as the roof of a structure at Deped Mahayahay Elementary School collapses during an earthquake in Digos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, June 8, 2026, in this screengrab taken from a handout video. Deped Mahayahay Elementary School/Handout via Reuters

A man walks near a collapsed building after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, June 8, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. GenSan DEV/Handout via REUTERS

TSUNAMI WARNING

Phivolcs had earlier issued a tsunami warning, saying wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides may be expected after the magnitude 7.8 earthquake off Sarangani. Phivolcs said wave heights may even be higher on enclosed bays and straits.

According to Phivolcs, the first tsunami waves were expected on Monday between 7:37 and 9:37 a.m. and may continue for hours.

Phivolcs had advised people in the coastal areas of the following provinces to evacuate to higher grounds because of the tsunami threat:

• Sarangani

• Davao Occidental

• Tawi-tawi

• Sulu

• Basilan

• Zamboanga Del Sur

• Zamboanga Sibugay

• Sultan Kudarat

• South Cotabato

"Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal water of the above-mentioned provinces should secure their boats and move away from the waterfront. Boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised," Phivolcs said.

People move near damaged buildings after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, June 8, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. GenSan DEV/Handout via REUTERS

CLASSES AND WORK CANCELLED

The Philippine News Agency (PNA) said classes and work across all levels, both public and private, were suspended in the Davao Region on Monday because of the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

In Davao del Sur, Digos City and the municipalities of Bansalan, Matanao and Magsaysay suspended work and classes.

Davao City and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) also cancelled work and classes for the day.

In Davao de Oro, the municipalities of Mawab, Pantukan, Montevista, New Bataan, Compostela, Mabini, Maco, Laak, Nabunturan and Maragusan, both work and classes were also suspended.

ASSURANCE FROM MALACAÑANG

Meanwhile, the PNA also reported that Malacañang had assured the earthquake-hit areas that the Philippine government has sufficient funds to support emergency response and relief operations.

According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. had directed concerned agencies to assist immediately all disaster and assist affected communities.

Veronica Pulumbarit/Paraluman News with a report from Mikhail Flores; Editing by David Stanway/Reuters