A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday. The quake triggered tsunami warnings across the region and caused deaths, injuries, and damage to buildings.

Four People Die, More Than 200 Injured

Philippine authorities confirmed that four people died after the earthquake and the tsunami threat that followed. More than 200 others suffered injuries.

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) reported that the earthquake measured 7.8 in magnitude. It said the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), making it a shallow and potentially dangerous event.

Authorities Issue Tsunami Warnings

After the earthquake, agencies in the Philippines and Indonesia issued tsunami alerts. Officials warned coastal communities to stay alert and follow safety instructions. The US Tsunami Warning System also issued a tsunami threat advisory.

Earlier, GFZ had estimated the earthquake's magnitude at 8.2 before revising its assessment. Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) measured the quake at magnitude 7.0.

Phivolcs warned that tsunami waves higher than one metre could hit some coastal areas. It also said the threat could continue for several hours.

Strong Tremors Cause Structural Damage

Officials did not immediately report large-scale destruction in the Philippines or Indonesia. However, several structures suffered damage from the strong shaking. Benjie Ancheta, police chief of Alabel town in Sarangani province, said cracks appeared in the local police station after the earthquake. The tremor struck while officers attended a flag-raising ceremony.

He said no deaths were reported in the town. However, some residents fainted because of the intense shaking. “This is the strongest earthquake we’ve experienced,” Ancheta told Reuters by phone.

Residents in Indonesia Feel Powerful Shaking

People in northern Indonesia also felt the earthquake. Witnesses in the city of Manado said the tremors were very strong. Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) estimated the earthquake's magnitude at 7.7.

Pacific Ring of Fire Faces Frequent Earthquakes

The Philippines and Indonesia sit on the “Pacific Ring of Fire.” This vast seismic zone stretches from South America to the Russian Far East. The region experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. These events often damage homes, infrastructure, and critical resources. Because of their location on this active tectonic belt, both countries regularly face the risk of powerful earthquakes and tsunamis.