Regional evacuation efforts expand across Pacific following Philippines quake
Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan activate coordinated evacuation and tsunami alerts across Pacific regions affected by the earthquake.
Event / Disaster
Philippines Earthquake June 2026
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck southern Philippines near General Santos city on June 8, 2026, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific and causing building damage and power outages in affected areas.
10 reported locations
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 8 Jun, 05:06 UTC
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What happened
7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Philippines
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on June 8 at 07:37 local time (23:37 GMT), with an epicenter approximately 24 kilometers offshore of Sarangani province on Mindanao island. The earthquake's depth was revised to 55 kilometers.
At least one death confirmed in Philippine earthquake
The earthquake resulted in at least one confirmed death, four injuries, and significant material damage in southern Philippines. A police official from General Santos reported that numerous buildings collapsed, including homes and commercial structures.
Japan issues tsunami advisory for Pacific coastline
Japan's Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a tsunami advisory along Japan's Pacific coast from the northern Okinawa islands to east of Tokyo. Waves were expected to reach Japanese coasts around 11:30 local time (02:30 GMT) and were not expected to exceed 1 meter.
6.1 magnitude aftershock follows main earthquake
The main 7.8 magnitude earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.1 magnitude.
Indonesia issues evacuation orders for Sulawesi regions
Indonesia's disaster management agency issued evacuation orders in several zones in Sulawesi in the northern archipelago due to tsunami risk following the earthquake.
Shopping center with Jollibee fast-food collapses in General Santos
A shopping center housing a Jollibee fast-food restaurant collapsed in General Santos province, as documented in Facebook videos authenticated by AFP. A building on a local school campus also collapsed in the same region.
Philippine President suspends classes and orders coastal evacuations
President Ferdinand Marcos suspended classes in affected areas of Mindanao and called for immediate evacuation of coastal region inhabitants to higher ground, stating that lives are more important than material possessions.
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alerts multiple nations
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) in Hawaii issued a warning that tsunami waves were possible within the three hours following the earthquake along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan. The alert predicted waves of 1 to 3 meters above sea level for Philippine coasts and 0.3 to 1 meter for Indonesia and Malaysia.
Strong aftershocks follow main earthquake
Aftershocks up to 6.5 magnitude followed the main 7.8 magnitude earthquake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Power outages reported in earthquake-affected areas
Power outages were reported across the southern Philippine regions affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.
Indonesia and Malaysia issue tsunami warnings
Indonesian and Malaysian authorities issued tsunami warnings for their nearby coastal areas. Malaysia's Meteorological Department issued a tsunami warning specifically for Sabah state on Borneo island, which is located a short distance from southern Philippines.
No tsunami threat to Hawaii or American mainland
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined there was no threat from the tsunami to Hawaii or the American mainland coast. The advisory for Guam was lifted approximately two hours after the earthquake.
President Marcos issues evacuation orders for coastal areas
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an immediate evacuation order for people in Philippine areas vulnerable to tsunamis, urging them to move to higher ground and not to wait. He stated that the national government would respond through disaster-response agencies on standby and would not leave Mindanao behind.
Tsunami waves triggered across Pacific region
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that tsunami waves up to 3 meters (10 feet) were possible on some coasts of the Philippines, and 1-meter (3-foot) waves were monitored in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani. Waves up to 1 meter (3 feet) were possible on some coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia, with an 83-centimeter tsunami measured off Indonesia's Sulawesi island. Smaller waves were possible in Taiwan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Guam and several other Pacific island territories.
Earthquake tremors felt across Indonesia
Residents in Indonesia's North Sulawesi and North Maluku provinces felt the earthquake tremors from the Philippine earthquake.
7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Philippines
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck part of the southern Philippines on Monday at 7:37 a.m. local time. The epicenter was 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of General Santos city on the island of Mindanao, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench. The earthquake was the strongest to hit the Philippines in 2025.
Building damage reported in General Santos city
At least one small four-story office building partly collapsed in General Santos due to the earthquake. A DZRH radio station provincial branch located in the building experienced partial collapse, with debris falling from other buildings onto parked tricycle taxis below. No immediate reports of casualties were available.
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2 alternative perspectives
Death confirmed as shopping center collapses, aftershock strikes region
One death confirmed; shopping center collapses; 6.1 magnitude aftershock strikes Mindanao.
Philippines orders evacuation as earthquake response expands
President Marcos orders evacuation of coastal areas as earthquake response continues.
Pacific nations activate tsunami warnings following Philippines quake
Indonesia and Malaysia issued tsunami warnings after the Philippines earthquake; Pacific waves detected but no US threat.
7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes southern Philippines
7.8 magnitude earthquake hits southern Philippines with significant building damage and widespread power outages.