Major quake off Philippines kills three, triggers tsunami warnings

June 08, 2026 / 11:28 AM

Sharjah 24-AFP: A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern coast of the Philippines, killing at least one person and causing buildings to collapse. Authorities issued tsunami warnings for several countries in the region, with waves expected to reach up to three metres in height.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least three people, causing buildings to collapse and triggering tsunami warnings across the region.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake struck at a depth of 35 kilometres (25 miles) off the island of Mindanao.

Tsunami waves are possible along coasts of 5 countries

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said in a statement that tsunami waves were possible "within the next three hours" along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan, and Papua New Guinea.

A 6.1-magnitude aftershock struck the region about two hours after the earthquake, according to the USGS.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, waves are likely to reach heights of between one and three metres above the tide level on the coasts of the Philippines, and between 0.3 and one metre on the coasts of Indonesia and Malaysia.