7.8 Quake in Philippines: 15 Dead, Schools and Airport Shut
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Powerful 7.8 earthquake hits Mindanao, causing fatalities, injuries, and infrastructure damage; schools and airport temporarily closed.
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A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake shook the area south of General Santos City in the Philippines on Monday morning. The tremor led to the tragic loss of at least 15 lives, multiple injuries, and heavy damage to buildings across Mindanao island. Tsunami warnings were issued for several countries in the region, including Indonesia, Taiwan, and Japan, but were later lifted.
Authorities confirmed 15 fatalities, with 12 recorded in Mindanao’s Soccskargen region, which includes General Santos City. Another three deaths occurred in Davao Occidental province. Police Major Roland Catoburan shared that two more people were crushed by a falling wall in Alabel, a nearby municipality.
Ongoing inspections are being conducted on buildings and infrastructure to ensure safety, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Schools were shut down across the region, delaying the first day of the new academic year. Officials have assured that student and staff safety will remain the top priority before reopening. Meanwhile, the airport in General Santos has been closed until further notice.
AI contributed to the creation of this article.