(Central News Agency, Manila, 8th, Combined Foreign Reports) A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines today, killing at least 32 people and injuring over 200 as of now. Most injuries were caused by collapsing buildings. The earthquake also generated a tsunami approximately one meter high along the nearby coast.

According to the Associated Press, some buildings collapsed in General Santos City, and critical infrastructure was damaged. At least one coastal village reported damage from the tsunami. Smaller tsunami waves were observed in Indonesia, Palau, and as far away as southern Japan.

The earthquake also triggered a landslide in the province of Sarangani in the southern Philippines, claiming the lives of 13 villagers.

Provincial disaster official Rene Punzalan told DZBB radio that the landslide destroyed homes in the mountainous town of Glan. Four other villagers in Sarangani province died from unknown causes.

Teresito Bacolcol, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), said, "This is a major earthquake." He advised people to seek advice before returning to damaged buildings or homes, as aftershocks could cause them to collapse.

Rod Sosmeña, regional director of the Civil Defense Office, was in the hard-hit city of General Santos when the earthquake struck at 7:37 AM. He told the AP, "Our pickup truck suddenly shook. I thought we had a flat tire. It was very violent. Everyone rushed out of their houses and ran into the streets."

Another regional disaster official, Ednar Dayanghirang, told the AP that he was about to leave his home in the southern port city of Davao when the earthquake made it "almost impossible to stand and keep my balance."

General Santos City is a port city with a population of over 700,000 and serves as a regional hub for the tuna export industry and other businesses.

This is the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines this year. The epicenter was off the coast of Mindanao. According to Bacolcol, the earthquake had a depth of 33 kilometers, and the epicenter was located about 32 kilometers southwest of the town of Maasim in Sarangani province. (Editor: Yang Zhaoyan) 1150608

FACT BOX

  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Taiwan