Dozens feared dead after earthquake strikes Philippines. See the damage – USA Today

At least 32 people are believed to have died and dozens were injured when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Philippines.
The earthquake happened just before 7:40 a.m. local time on Monday, June 8 off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. The earthquake led to multiple tsunami warnings across several countries and officials predicted the first tsunami waves would arrive between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m.
“These waves may continue for hours,” the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines wrote, adding that a tsunami warning had been issued for nine areas, including Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Basila.
Residents in coastal areas had been told to evacuate and head to higher ground. After six hours, the tsunami warnings put into place were canceled in the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia ​and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island.
The Philippines and Indonesia ​are located along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” an active horseshoe-shaped region around the Pacific. It extends “from the southern tip of South America, along the west coast of North America, across the Bering Strait, down through Japan and into New Zealand,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Officials in the Philippines sent military and disaster response teams out to verify preliminary reports of deaths and injuries, including 32 people killed and 134 ​injured across Mindanao, Reuters reported. Most injuries came from falling debris and landslides, per Reuters.
This week’s earthquake comes about eight months after a 7.4 earthquake struck near the Philippines in October, followed by a second quake that same day. At least seven people were killed, authorities said.
The initial quake hit offshore from the Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines at 9:45 a.m. local time on Oct. 10, followed by the second one at about 7:12 p.m. that day.
See photos below of the damage from both earthquakes.
After Monday’s quake, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered disaster response in Mindanao, including relief supplies and evacuation centers, as well as possible rescue operations.
“The (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations,” he said in a press release.
The earthquake happened just as students returned to school from break, Reuters reported. Per the president’s office, social media posts showed students trying to get to safety during flag-raising ceremonies Monday morning. Videos also showed vehicles stuck underneath damaged buildings and debris.
Marcos suspended classes in all levels across affected areas in Mindanao until further notice.
“The safety of our children comes first,” he said. “To our kababayans in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind.”
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

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