PH lifts tsunami alert after magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao

UPDATED (JUNE 8, 2026; 8:45 P.M) – MANILA - The Philippines' seismology agency Phivolcs lifted a tsunami alert in its southern provinces on Monday, saying that the risks from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake had now abated.

"After the extended two-hour observation period, minor sea level disturbances continued to be recorded; however, these observed wave heights are too small to cause damage," Phivolcs said in an advisory.

The earthquake's epicenter was located about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) off Sarangani province in Mindanao.

The earthquake happened early on June 8, the first day of classes for students across the Philippines after a long school break.

Children react as the roof of a structure at Deped Mahayahay Elementary School collapses during an earthquake in Digos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, June 8, 2026, in this screen grab taken from a handout video. Deped Mahayahay Elementary School/Handout via REUTERS

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings across several countries aside from the Philippines: in northern Indonesia and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island.

Tremors were felt strongly in a dozen Philippine provinces and even 420 kilometers away (261 miles) in Manado on Indonesian's island of Sulawesi.

A road is blocked near the collapsed building after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Philippines, June 8, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Edwin Espejo

Various Philippine government agencies are assessing the damage from the quake and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is verifying initial reports that 32 people had been killed and 129 injured in the region, mostly from falling debris.

A drone view shows collapsed buildings after a magnitude 7.8 quake in General Santos, Mindanao Island, Philippines, June 8, 2026. GenSan DEV/Handout via REUTERS

(Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by David Stanway)