A magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit just southwest of General Santos City in the Philippines at 7:37 a.m. local time on Monday, shattering a four‑storey commercial building and knocking out power for thousands. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued alerts for waves up to three metres along parts of the Philippine coast and smaller surges for neighboring Indonesia and Malaysia.

Epicenter 13 km from General Santos and a shallow 10‑km depth

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) pinpointed the quake’s origin about 13 kilometres southwest of General Santos and only 10 kilometres beneath the surface, a combination that amplified ground shaking. Because the rupture was so shallow, the tremor was felt far beyond Mindanao, reaching central Indonesia and prompting concerns from regional disaster agencies.

Four‑storey radio station building partially collapses

In the city of more than 700,000 residents, a four‑storey commercial block housing a national radio station suffered a partial collapse. Workers escaped to the ground floor without serious injuries, but officials have not confirmed whether additional occupants remain trapped in the rubble. Streets filled with overturned vehicles and debris, while toppled power lines left many neighborhoods in darkness.

PTWC tsunami advisory predicts up to three‑metre waves

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that coastal areas of the Philippines could see waves as high as three metres, with Indonesia and Malaysia facing suurges of up to one metre.. pHIVOLCS head Teresito Bacolcol urged residents in low‑lying zones to move inland, echoing similar directives issued after past Philippine quakes.

Aftershocks up to magnitude 6.5 keep rescue teams on alert

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) recorded aftershocks as strong as magnitude 6.5 throughout the day, complicating search‑and‑rescue operations and delaying damage assessments. Emergency crews continue to scan collapsed structures for survivors while coordinating with national agencies to restore electricity and water services.

Who will fund the rebuilding of General Santos?

Local officials have pledged expedited inspections and emergency funds for displaced families, but the scale of the damage raises questions about long‑term financing. Humanitarian groups have begun delivering relief supplies, yet the exact amount of national aid and potential international assistance remains unclear.