The powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook offshore Maasim, Sarangani on Monday morning has caused the death of a minimum of 8 individuals and the collapse of several buildings, in keeping with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Three deaths each were reported in Davao Occidental and General Santos City, while two were reported in South Cotabato City, OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Agustin Mariano told reporters via Viber, citing reports from the agency’s local counterparts.
He added that the reported deaths are still being validated.
Meanwhile, the OCD also said that the 7.8 earthquake primarily affected Regions IX, XI, and XII, with several buildings reported to have collapsed or sustained major damage.
“In response to the initial damage reports in Regions 9, 11, and 12, there are buildings and bridges that collapsed,” OCD administrator Harold N. Cabreros said in a video release.
Among the many affected infrastructure is the collapse of a constructing at Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and the entire collapse of Jollibee-RD Plaza, each positioned in General Santos City, based on several videos circulating online.
The OCD said it has yet to release a full damage report following the strong earthquake.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake occurred at exactly 7:37 a.m., with its epicenter positioned offshore 32 kilometers south-southwest of Maasim, Sarangani, and was reported as tectonic, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said in an advisory.
The agency said the earthquake was triggered by the Cotabato Trench.
Instrumental intensities were reported in several areas of Mindanao, with the best at Intensity VIII in parts of Mindanao; Intensity VII in Koronadal City and Santa Maria, Davao Occidental; and Intensity VII in General Santos City.
Since the main quake, a minimum of 183 aftershocks have been recorded in 59 areas, PHIVOLCS said as of 12:00 p.m.
The aftershocks ranged from magnitude 1.3 to six.7, and of the entire, nine were felt.
A tsunami warning was issued at 7:47 a.m.
Since its issuance, six areas have reported initial tsunami waves based on PHIVOLCS sea-level monitoring stations.
Areas where tsunami waves were recorded include Maasim at 7:42 am, Kiamba at 7:44 a.m., Kalamansig at 7:59 a.m., Mati at 8:19 a.m., Zamboanga at 8:32 a.m., and Tandag City at 8:45 a.m.
“Of various tsunami wave heights, the best is 1.4 meters,” Charmaine V. Villamil, senior science research specialist at PHIVOLCS, told reporters via Viber, adding that tsunami monitoring continues to be ongoing.
Amid expected aftershocks, the OCD is reminding affected residents to avoid re-entering their homes and buildings, especially those who sustained damage. — Edg Adrian A. Eva