Powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastates southern Philippines

A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least eight people and injuring many others. The epicentre was in Sarangani province, but the bulk of the damage is in General Santos City, one of the most highly urbanised and populated areas in the region, where shaking intensity reached seven out of ten – described as very strong and very damaging. Videos on social media showed a commercial building, reportedly housing a 24-hour fast food restaurant and a radio station, collapsing during the tremor. Photos also showed damaged churches, schools, houses, bridges and cracked roads, as well as a shopping mall shaking and partially collapsing. A tsunami warning was issued for the southern coast, with waves reaching up to 1.4 metres recorded. Tsunami alerts were also issued for Japan and Indonesia. The earthquake struck at 7:37 am local time, which was the first day of the school year. Teachers told local radio that children were outside for the flag-raising ceremony at that time, potentially saving them from collapsing school buildings. Search and rescue workers are on site, and officials fear the death toll could rise.

Al Jazeera's Barnaby Lo reports from Manila.

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