Death toll from Philippines earthquake rises, tsunami reaches Indonesia, Japan

Philippine authorities have raised the death toll from a magnitude-7.8 earthquake that struck the country’s south on June 8 to at least 32, with more than 200 people injured and others still missing. The quake also triggered tsunami waves of up to 1.4 meters along parts of the coastline.

At least 12 killed, hundreds injured in Philippines earthquake

Vietnamese in Japan’s earthquake-hit areas reported safe

In the hard-hit port city of General Santos, disaster management officials confirmed seven deaths after several buildings collapsed and key infrastructure was damaged. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned residents to exercise caution before returning to damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.

Houses are damaged after the earthquake in General Santos city, Philippines on June 8.

Authorities are verifying reports that several students may be trapped in a collapsed two-storey school in General Santos. Police said at least 12 people remain missing in the city.

Teresito Bacolcol, Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, described the June 8 earthquake as the strongest to hit the country so far this year. The epicenter was located offshore near Mindanao Island at a depth of 33 kilometers, about 32 kilometers southwest of Maasim town in Sarangani province.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes and directed disaster-response agencies to accelerate relief operations in affected areas.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said the tsunami threat had largely passed about five hours after the quake. Philippine authorities lifted the tsunami warning later the same day. Waves of around one meter were recorded in Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani provinces, while a 1.4-metre wave was observed in the coastal town of Kiamba, Sarangani. Tsunami-related damage was reported in at least one coastal village.

Smaller tsunami waves were detected in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan. An 83-centimetre wave was recorded off Indonesia’s Sulawesi Island, while waves of about 30 centimeters were measured in Palau.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves of around 20 centimeters in Okinawa and Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara archipelago. More than 190,000 residents in 10 prefectures were advised to evacuate, while Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed relevant agencies to take preventive measures against possible damage.

Source: VNA