Kathmandu, June 8
A powerful earthquake struck the Philippines on Monday morning, causing widespread damage and destroying numerous homes. According to preliminary reports, at least one person has been killed and several others injured. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the full extent of the damage has yet to be determined.
The earthquake has also disrupted the electricity supply in several areas. Tsunami warnings have been issued for coastal regions of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
The quake struck near the coastal area of General Santos City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. It occurred at 7:37 am local time (5:22 am Nepal time).
Different agencies have released varying reports regarding the earthquake’s magnitude and depth. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the earthquake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres.
However, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake at a magnitude of 7.8 and a depth of 35 kilometres. Similarly, Germany’s GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences said the earthquake measured 7.8 in magnitude and occurred at a depth of 50 kilometres.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has warned that waves as high as three meters could strike some coastal areas of the Philippines. Coastal regions of Indonesia and Malaysia could experience waves of up to one meter, according to the warning.
The epicentre of the earthquake was near General Santos City, where many homes and buildings have reportedly been damaged. Authorities have urged residents living in coastal areas to immediately move to higher ground. Officials also said that aftershocks have continued following the main quake.
The Philippines is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. It lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
