At least 19 dead after major earthquake off southern Philippines

At least 19 dead after major earthquake off southern Philippines

At least 19 people have died after a magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck the southern Philippines, according to civil defence officials.Here’s what we’ve covered today:The earthquake struck off the southern island of MindanaoAt least 134 people have been injured, according to a civil defence office spokesperson – these numbers have to be finally verified by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.The quake triggered tsunami warnings in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan. Limited waves ranging from a few centimetres to 1.4m (4.6ft) were later observed. Australia and New Zealand also issued tsunami warnings soon after the quake struck but lifted them soon afterVideos and images show buildings, including a Jollibee restaurant, being reduced to rubbleThe quake coincided with the start of the new school year in the Philippines. Classes in quake-hit areas been suspended, Philippine President Bongbong Marcos saidThe city of General Santos, near the quake’s epicentre, is known as the country’s tuna capitalEvacuation and relief efforts are underway. President Marcos says the government “will not leave Mindanao behind”, while the Philippine Red Cross says it’s on the “highest alert”

Thanks for joining us here. We’re ending our live coverage now, but you can read more in this news story.

FCDO issues safety guidance in quake-hit parts of the Philippines

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued safety guidance for the Mindanao region after the earthquake.If you’re in the affected area, follow the advice of local authorities and avoid damaged buildings, the FCDO says.And if you’re planning to travel to Mindanao, contact your travel provider for updates and ensure your travel insurance covers natural disasters, it adds.

Toll from earthquake now 15 dead and 129 injured – officials

The death toll from the magnitude-7.8 earthquake now stands at 15, according to officials from the Philippine Office of Civil Defense.

According to local civil defence office director Rodrigo Sosmeña, 12 of the fatalities were reported in Soccsksargen – a region spanning four provinces and one city: South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos City.

At least 129 people were reportedly injured in the region, he added.

In photos: Buildings collapse as earthquake shakes Mindanao

More than two dozen buildings, many of them commercial establishments, have been damaged by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in the southern Philippines.

Here are images from General Santos City, near the epicentre of the quake.

Philippines earthquake disrupts school opening

The earthquake struck as the new school year began in the Philippines.

Videos posted on social media showed young students screaming in fear as the ground shook violently. Teachers were seen hugging young children and trying to keep them calm.

Recap: Powerful earthquake rocks southern Philippines

Buildings have collapsed, and casualties are feared after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the Philippines’ southern tip at 07:37 on Monday (23:37 GMT Sunday).

If you’re just joining us, here’s what to know:

• The quake struck off the coast of General Santos City, located on Mindanao, the Philippines’ main southern island
• At least three people have been confirmed dead and five others are injured, police say

• Videos and images show buildings collapsing. In this one, a Jollibee fast food restaurant crumbles to the ground
• Tsunami warnings were issued in several countries, from the Philippines to Indonesia, Japan and Australia. Some of those warnings have been lifted now
• Tsunami waves ranging from 3cm (0.1ft) to 0.8m (2.7ft) were recorded in Palau, Indonesia and the Philippine region of Davao, according to the US Geological Survey
• Authorities urged residents to immediately evacuate to higher ground. “Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind,” Philippine President Marcos warned

Tsunami waves recorded in six areas of Mindanao – Phivolcs

Tsunami waves have been recorded in six areas of Mindanao, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.The affected areas are mostly along Mindanao’s southern coast.The waves were observed between 07:42 and 08:45 local time (23:42 to 00:45 GMT). The highest of the recorded waves measured 1.4m (4.6ft).The tsunami warning for the Philippines remains in place, the agency told reporters.

Quake triggers 138 aftershocks – Philippine authorities

Since the initial magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the Philippines’ southern coast, 138 aftershocks have been recorded as of 11:00 local time (03:00 GMT), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.The magnitudes of these aftershocks range from 1.3 to 6.7.

Poice confirm three dead, five injured

Police have confirmed that the earthquake has killed at least three people and injured five others.They estimate that the quake also damaged 37 buildings, mostly commercial.