The reported death toll in the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao has increased to eight, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday.
Citing information from the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (LDRRMCs), OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano noted that these reported fatalities are still being validated:
Tsunami waves of up to 1.4 meters were recorded at several sea-level monitoring stations following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.
In an update, the PHIVOLCS said the estimated arrival times of the first tsunami waves were:
PHIVOLCS noted that tsunami waves are still being detected by the monitoring stations as of 11 a.m.
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday activated its crisis protocol and issued public reminders following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Albert Domingo said the agency will deploy its Health Emergency Response Teams based on operational requirements on the ground.
The Department of Energy (DOE) said Monday it is working to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and petroleum products in areas affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
According to the DOE, energy facilities in Sarangani and nearby areas are currently being assessed through its Task Force on Energy Resiliency, in coordination with electric cooperatives, distribution utilities, and oil industry stakeholders.
“The DOE is currently consolidating reports on the condition of power lines, substations, distribution facilities, fuel depots, retail stations, and other energy infrastructure to determine whether any facilities have been affected,” it said in a statement.
“Continuous monitoring is also being conducted to ensure the uninterrupted supply of electricity and petroleum products in affected communities,” it added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is investigating whether the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao was generated by the Cotabato Trench.
Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, PHIVOLCS director Teresito Bacolcol said scientists were still analyzing data to determine the exact source of the strong earthquake.
“So far nasa Sarangani Bay ito. Tinitingnan natin if this is related to the Cotabato Trench,” Bacolcol said.
(So far, the earthquake was located around Sarangani Bay. We are investigating if this was related to the Cotabato Trench.)
According to him, the Cotabato Trench remains a highly active seismic feature.
Bacolcol noted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the devastating 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami.
The August 17, 1976 earthquake, which had a magnitude of 8.1, struck near the Moro Gulf along the Cotabato Trench and triggered a tsunami that killed an estimated 8,000 people in Mindanao, he said
The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off the coast of Sarangani on Monday morning disrupted the opening day of classes across parts of Mindanao, forcing the suspension of classes and government work, and causing damage to buildings and infrastructure in several areas across southern Philippines.
As authorities continued to assess the full extent of the damage and possible casualties, social media posts showed significant impacts on schools, commercial establishments, and other structures following the powerful quake.
All watercraft operations in Davao Occidental have been temporarily suspended amid the tsunami warning following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao Monday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said.
In an update, the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) ordered the suspension as a precautionary measure.
“The suspension covers all fishing boats, passenger vessels, and commercial watercraft until further notice to ensure public safety amid ongoing monitoring of aftershocks and sea conditions,” CGDSEM said.
Indonesia lifted a tsunami warning on Monday, hours after ordering evacuations of northern areas threatened by tsunami waves following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake off the southern Philippines.
The tsunami warning "has ended" four and a half hours after being issued, according to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency's (BMKG) website.
The agency recorded small tsunami waves in at least nine locations in Indonesia, with the highest recorded at 0.75 meters (2.4 feet) in Sangihe island.
Officials in the highest risk areas -- the North Sulawesi capital, Manado, northern Gorontalo province and the Sangihe island -- "are instructed to immediately direct their residents to evacuate in an orderly manner to higher ground," the national disaster agency had said in an earlier statement.
Schools must be ready to respond to any eventualities brought by calamities, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Monday, as the opening of classes was disrupted in Cotabato City, Maguindanao del Norte, following a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao.
“Nagkataon nga na na-welcome tayo ng lindol dito, but ganun naman talaga, dapat lagi tayong handa, at sabi ko sa mga teachers and principal na huwag kalimutan na tayo ang pangalawang magulang ng ating mga bata,” said Angara, who visited the Notre Dame Village Central Elementary School.
(It so happened that we were welcomed by an earthquake here, but that’s exactly why we should always be prepared. I reminded teachers and the principal that we are like second parents to our children.)
“So I’m happy na mabilis naman yung pag-evacuate ng mga eskwelahan at pag-uwi ng mga bata, although may mga nakita akong a few children na nandito pa, pero ok lang naman kasi bahagi yun yan eh dapat handa,” he added.
At least three people were reported dead and four others were injured in Soccsksargen following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
In its 10:50 a.m. report, Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12) said all three fatalities and four injuries were civilians.
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