2026 Mindanao earthquake
Magnitude 7.8 earthquake in the Philippines
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On June 8, 2026, at 07:37:40 PST (UTC+8), a Mw 7.8 earthquake struck the southern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its epicenter was off the coast of Sarangani province in the region of Soccsksargen, 26 km (16 mi) west-southwest of Kablalan.[1] Tsunami warnings were issued across the southern Philippines as well as in Indonesia, Palau, Japan, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea. At least 32 people were killed, 200 others were injured and 22 were reported missing. The quake was the strongest to hit the country since 1990.[2][3][4]
DSWD personnel inspecting a collapsed commercial building in General Santos | |
.svg)   General Santos  Davao City | |
| UTC time | 2026-06-07 23:37:40 |
|---|---|
| USGS-ANSS | ComCat |
| Local date | June 8, 2026 |
| Local time | 07:37:40 PST (UTC+8) |
| Duration | 30 seconds |
| Magnitude | Mw 7.8 |
| Depth | 55.2 km (34.3 mi) |
| Epicenter | 5.592°N 125.047°E |
| Fault | Cotabato Trench |
| Type | Thrust |
| Areas affected | Mindanao, Philippines North Sulawesi, Indonesia |
| Total damage | ₱1 billion (US$20.3 million) |
| Max. intensity | MMI VIII (PEIS VIII) |
| Tsunami | 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) |
| Landslides | Yes |
| Aftershocks | 180+ Mw 6.5 on June 8, 2026 (Strongest) |
| Casualties | 32+ deaths, 200+ injuries, 22+ missing in Philippines 3 injuries in Indonesia |
Tectonic setting
Mindanao lies across the complex convergent boundary between the Sunda plate and the Philippine Sea plate. Part of the oblique convergence between these plates is taken up by subduction along the Cotabato Trench. The strike-slip component of the convergence is accommodated partly by the Philippine fault system and partly by the Cotabato Fault System, a network of mainly NW-SE trending sinistral (left-lateral) strike-slip faults that form the boundary between the Cotabato Arc and the Central Mindanao Volcanic Belt.[5] In 1976, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake and tsunami along the same trench killed 8,000 people.[6]
Earthquake
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The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) initially reported a magnitude of Mw 7.0,[7] before revising the magnitude up to 7.8.[8] The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) put the magnitude and depth at Mww 7.8 and 55.2 km (34.3 mi) and 45 km (28 mi), respectively,[1][9] The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) of Indonesia placed the moment magnitude at 8.2, along with a depth of 46 km (29 mi).[10] Shaking was estimated to have lasted for around 30 seconds.[11]
The earthquake was caused by thrust faulting on a north-south striking, west dipping fault or north-northwest striking, east-northeast striking fault.[1] It occurred near the southern tip of Mindanao, at where the northwest trending Cotabato Trench joins the north-south trending Sangihe Trench. The earthquake likely occurred because of a rupture along the northern Sangihe Trench or southern Cotabato Trench, or a combination of both scenarios.[12]
On the Modified Mercalli intensity scale (MMI), a maximum intensity of VIII (Severe) was estimated; according to their Prompt Assessment of Global Earthquakes for Response service, approximately 917,000 people were within the zone of intensity VIII, including the epicentral area and in General Santos, while 2.66 million others were exposed to intensity VII (Very strong) shaking across Soccsksargen, Davao and Bangsamoro. At least 5.49 million people were exposed to intensity VI (Strong) shaking across southern and central Mindanao, including Davao City.[1] On the PHIVOLCS earthquake intensity scale, a maximum intensity of VIII (Very destructive) was instrumentally recorded at Malapatan, Sarangani.[8] Tremors were felt as far as Leyte.[13] In Indonesia, the earthquake was felt with an intensity of IV (Light) in Morotai, Tolitoli and North Halmahera Regency and III (Weak) at Batang Dua Islands, Ternate, West Halmahera, Gorontalo, South Halmahera, East Halmahera, Parigi Moutong, Manado, Minahasa, Palu, Bitung, East Bolaang Mongondow, and Central Halmahera.[14] Tremors were also felt in Tawau, Semporna and other parts of Sabah in Malaysia.[15]
Tsunami
In Indonesia, the BMKG issued a tsunami warning for the Maluku Islands, Sulawesi and Borneo.[16] In Malaysia, tsunami advisories were issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) for four beaches in Sabah, particularly Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu.[17][18] The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said parts of the Philippine coastline could experience 3 m (9.8 ft) waves while 1 m (3 ft 3 in) waves could hit the Indonesian and Malaysian coast.[19] A tsunami advisory was also issued for the Pacific coast of western and eastern Japan, ranging from Ibaraki Prefecture to Okinawa Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency warned of waves reaching 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in Miyako Island and the Yaeyama Islands.[20]
Tsunami waves were detected at Kedi in North Maluku province, Ulu Siau, and Melonguane, with the waves detected ranging from 0.09–0.19 m (3.5 in – 7.5 in), with the highest recorded measurement at Talengan-Sulut at 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in).[21][22] PHIVOLCS reported tsunami waves along six areas in Mindanao’s southern coast between 07:42 and 08:45 PHT measuring 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in).[23] A 3 cm (1.2 in) tsunami was also recorded in two locations in Palau.[24] In Japan, waves measuring 20 cm (7.9 in) were observed in the Ogasawara Islands, while tsunami waves were also observed in Okinawa Prefecture.[25]
| Location | Tsunami height |
|---|---|
| Kiamba, Sarangani | 1.48 m (4 ft 10 in) |
| Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat | 0.84 m (2 ft 9 in) |
| Maasim, Sarangani | 0.48 m (1 ft 7 in) |
| Zamboanga City | 0.25 m (9.8 in) |
| Mati, Davao Oriental | 0.21 m (8.3 in) |
| Tandag, Surigao del Sur | 0.09 m (3.5 in) |
PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami warning for the provinces of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-Tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Sultan Kudarat, and South Cotabato, which prompted the evacuation of all residents and businesses living in the coastline of the identified provinces.[27][28] Around 10,000 families in Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat were evacuated.[29] Residents in coastal barangays of Pagadian were urged to evacuate to higher grounds by the City Government.[30] BMKG also issued a tsunami warning and evacuation of residents in North Sulawesi, Gorontalo, East Kalimantan, North Maluku, Central Sulawesi, and Sangihe Islands.[31][32]
Aftershocks
PHIVOLCS recorded at least 180 aftershocks,[33] including three Mw 6.0+ and one Mw 5.8 events,[34][35][36] the largest measuring mb 6.5.[37]
Impact
Philippines
At least 32 people were killed and more than 200 others were injured.[38] At least 17 people were killed in Sarangani, 7 died in General Santos and 5 others were killed in South Cotabato and Davao Occidental.[39] At least two people died in South Cotabato—one from falling debris and the other from cardiac arrest.[40] A landslide in Glan killed 13 people.[41] Two people died after a wall at a warehouse of Century Pacific Food collapsed in General Santos.[42] The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed that the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Bangsamoro were directly affected by the earthquake.[43][44] The Office of Civil Defense said almost 22 people were reported missing.[25] The Office of Civil Defense said at least seven people were reported missing in General Santos, with reports of students being trapped in a two-story school.[39] At least 37 structures were damaged across Mindanao.[45] The Soccsksargen Police Regional Office also recorded damage to 20 structures across the region: 14 commercial establishments, two schools, two hospitals, and two residential houses. 26 areas experienced power disruptions and one area was affected by a landslide.[46] The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines reported damage on transmission lines that served Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, Sarangani, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat. Services were restored in some areas by 08:20.[47]
Property damage was valued at ₱1 billion (US$20.3 million) in General Santos alone.[48] Multiple convenience stores, houses, and buildings collapsed in the city, including a building with a Jollibee restaurant and a Love Radio studio, a building of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and a shopping mall.[49][50] Several cars were crushed by falling debris outside Plaza Nova.[51] Parts of SM City General Santos sustained minor damage[49] prompting its management to suspend operations.[52] Multiple people were reportedly trapped after a building collapsed in the city.[53]
In South Cotabato province, several roads were cracked in Tantangan and a bridge collapsed in Banga.[54] A stretch of the highway from T'Boli to General Santos was closed after it collapsed.[55] Essential utilities such as internet, electricity, and water services were disrupted in Koronadal and in nearby areas.[56] In Sarangani province, a shrine collapsed and a bridge was damaged in Maasim while several people at a ceremony fainted due to panic caused by the shaking.[41][57] A police building and many other buildings in Alabel were also damaged.[58] The barangay hall of Alegria in Alabel gained significant damage, with the local DRRMO reporting that the building was not safe to use anymore.[59] In Ladol Beach Resort in Alabel, three cottages collapsed with reported ground deformation.[60]
The Department of Education estimated that more than 3.2 million students, 128,000 staff, and 6,224 public schools in 33 school divisions across Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and Caraga Region were affected by the quake, which struck on the first day of classes in the new school year.[61] Students at the Cotabato City Central Pilot Elementary School, who were practicing earthquake drills on the first day of classes, evacuated from the school buildings after the ground shook.[62] A dilapidated building in Matanao National High School collapsed.[63] Davao del Sur Schools Division Superintendent Lorenzo Mendoza said that the structure was no longer occupied following the 2019 Cotabato earthquakes.[64] The school confirmed no students were harmed.[65] Some students of the Santa Cruz National High School in Davao del Sur were assisted by local emergency responders due to sustaining minor injuries and reportedly losing consciousness.[66]
A high-rise condominium building in Davao City was damaged.[67] A concrete footbridge in the city also collapsed. Nine people were evacuated.[68] An expansion joint and railings on the Bucana Bridge were damaged.[69] Six shanties on stilts were damaged in Zamboanga del Sur.[70]
Indonesia
In Indonesia, three people were injured,[71] and at least 27 homes and were damaged in the Sangihe and Talaud Islands regencies. Five buildings were also affected in North Minahasa Regency.[72]
Response
Local
A state of calamity was declared in General Santos due to the earthquake.[73] Classes at all levels, in both public and private schools, as well as work in government offices, were suspended throughout Sarangani,[74] South Cotabato,[75] Cotabato,[76] Sultan Kudarat,[77] Maguindanao del Norte,[78] Maguindanao del Sur,[79] Basilan,[80][81] Tawi-Tawi,[82] General Santos,[83] Cotabato City, Kidapawan,[84] Davao City,[49][85] Davao del Norte,[86] Davao Oriental,[87] Davao de Oro,[88] Agusan del Sur,[89] Valencia,[90] Cagayan de Oro,[91] and Davao Occidental[92] while a work suspension was imposed in Davao del Sur[93] and Bangsamoro.[94] The Department of Budget and Management said that there were necessary quick response funds to immediately deploy rescuers in the 2026 national budget.[95] Numerous areas were assessed after the earthquake, including the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital,[96] General Santos,[97] and Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte.[98]
Operations were temporarily suspended at General Santos International Airport[99] by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to conduct safety assessment after the earthquake which affected 17 flights:[100] 11 operated by Cebu Pacific, four operated by PAL Express, and two operated by Philippine Airlines.[101] The General Santos airport was then reopened to facilitate landing and takeoff operations for government, military, and humanitarian flights.[102] Ceiling tiles fell and glass windows shattered.[103] The Department of Transportation confirmed the normal operations of other airports in Mindanao.[104] The southbound lane of Bolton Bridge in Davao City was closed pending inspection of Department of Public Works and Highways and City Engineer's Office personnel.[105] Operations at the General Santos City Terminal in Bulaong was suspended to facilitate the inspections of the City Engineering Office.[106]
The Municipal Government of Bansalan, Davao del Sur enabled their Emergency Operations Center to handle the local relief operations.[107] Cagayan de Oro Mayor Ronaldo Uy directed the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to prioritize safety inspections of schools and high-rise structures.[91] Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro and Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival instructed their respective disaster response teams to coordinate to with their counterparts in the affected region in assessing and determining the appropriate aid to provide.[108] The Cebu Provincial Board approved ₱10 million (US$203,045.69) in aid to General Santos.[109]
National
Philippine president Bongbong Marcos issued a statement directing all government agencies to respond to the disaster, with the Office of Civil Defense and NDRRMC immediately conducting disaster response and monitoring on all affected areas, Department of Social Welfare and Development pre-positioning relief goods and preparing evacuation centers, and DPWH assessing damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure.[110] He also ordered the suspension of all work and classes throughout all affected regions.[111]
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara deployed DepEd engineers to provinces affected by the earthquake.[112] Department of Health (DoH) Undersecretary and Spokesperson Albert Domingo said that all crisis protocols have been implemented in hospitals throughout Mindanao while doing rapid assessments of health concerns in Mindanao regions.[113] The Department of Budget and Management says that there are available Quick Resource Funds (QRF) in the 2026 national budget for immediate deployment by the concerned agencies and they are ready to process any request for QRF replenishment.[114] The Philippine Coast Guard temporarily suspended all watercraft operations in the affected coastal areas until further notice.[115][116] The Department of Energy assessed the effect of the earthquake on power networks.[117] The Alliance of Concerned Teachers posted their concern over damaged schools due to the earthquake.[118] Robinsons and SM Malls in General Santos were closed to allow their engineering and construction teams conducting inspections on the buildings.[119] The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) reiterated reminders for heritage site caretakers in the affected areas, such as area security, safety of heritage site personnel, photographic documentation of damage, and recovery of objects.[120]
Soccsksargen police deployed 500 personnel and 23 vehicles across the region to assist in response operations, with 390 assigned to search, rescue, and retrieval operations, 100 securing vital installations, and 10 assigned to the Women and Children Protection Center.[46] Soccsksargen DSWD Field Office convened its Disaster Response Management Division and Quick Response Team to coordinate with affected local government units while setting up mobile command centers and field kitchens to assist in the evacuation of affected residents.[121] The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division mobilized its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams from the 27th and 28th Infantry Battalions, Task Force Gensan, the 1002nd Infantry Brigade, and the 10th Emergency Response Company. to assist affected communities.[122] The Philippine Red Cross was put on the highest alert and members were deployed to assess structural damage and coordinate evacuation and relief operations.[123]
International
The governments of Japan, Canada, Malaysia, and the United States expressed their sympathies to Filipinos affected by the earthquake. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her heartfelt condolences to bereaved families and those affected and ensured to provide any possible assistance that the Philippines may need.[124] Following the earthquake in the Philippines that also triggered tsunami warnings in neighbouring countries, structural damages were continuously monitored and reassessed by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia,[125] with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also announcing they were ready to extend any assistance needed by the Philippines.[126]
UNICEF Philippines said it is ready to support the government’s emergency response, highlighting that students’ and teachers’ safety is the top priority, adding that emergency supplies and multipurpose cash were prepositioned to help provide timely and efficient access to cash transfer, quality health and nutrition services, water, sanitation, hygiene facilities and interventions, child protection, and to support schools in maintaining learning continuity during emergencies.[127]
