A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, marking one of the strongest tremors to hit the country in half a century. The quake brought down buildings, triggered landslides, and set off tsunami warnings across the southern island.
The disaster has killed at least 37 people and left nearly 500 injured, with four people still reported missing. More than 32,000 residents have been forced from their homes as families hope to recover their loved ones.
Rescue operations continued on June 10 as crews searched ruined buildings to ensure no one remained trapped. The city of General Santos sustained some of the worst damage, and in Sarangani province, some areas remain accessible only by helicopter. Authorities warned that buildings with cracks could still collapse due to aftershocks, which have slowed rescue efforts.
The Philippines is frequently impacted by volcanic eruptions and earthquakes because of its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of seismic faults surrounding the ocean.