Philippines Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 37 as Rescue Operations Continue After 7.8 Magnitude Quake

Rescue teams in the southern Philippines continued searching through collapsed homes and damaged buildings on Tuesday, a day after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck offshore Mindanao, killing at least 37 people, injuring nearly 500 others, and forcing more than 32,000 residents into evacuation shelters.

Authorities said only four people were officially listed as missing, but emergency officials warned that the number could change as inspections continue across heavily damaged areas. The Office of Civil Defense stressed that all collapsed structures must be carefully examined before declaring the search operations complete.

The quake struck early Monday morning off the coast of Mindanao, the country’s second-largest and most populous island. It triggered panic across several provinces, with many residents fleeing their homes amid fears of a tsunami. Waves reaching up to 1.4 meters were recorded in some coastal areas, although significant tsunami damage was largely limited to several stilt houses in a small village. Minor wave activity was also observed in parts of Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan.

In General Santos City, a major urban center known for its fishing industry, at least 13 people were confirmed dead after buildings collapsed and debris fell during the shaking. Sarangani province reported 18 fatalities, most caused by a landslide that buried homes in the mountainous town of Glan, according to disaster officials. Additional deaths were recorded in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island.

Preliminary government assessments indicated widespread structural damage, including around 2,500 homes and more than 100 government buildings. The airport in General Santos remained closed for a second consecutive day, leading to the cancellation of dozens of flights, with only humanitarian operations allowed to continue.

Education services were also heavily disrupted, with around 6,000 public school buildings in affected regions requiring safety inspections before reopening. The quake struck on the first day of classes following a national break, leaving many students among the injured. Officials said buildings showing structural cracks remain at risk due to ongoing aftershocks.

“This is a situation where safety must come first. We cannot rush the reopening of schools until structural integrity is fully confirmed,” said Rafaelito Alejandro of the Office of Civil Defense.

Seismologists said the earthquake originated at a depth of 33 kilometers along the Cotabato Trench, making it the most powerful tremor in the Philippines since the devastating 1976 earthquake and tsunami that killed around 8,000 people.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has deployed disaster response teams from Manila to coordinate relief efforts, including food distribution, shelter assistance and infrastructure assessments. International partners including the United States, Japan, France and New Zealand have offered support.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it highly vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic activity and extreme weather events, including about 20 typhoons each year.