A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 31 people, injuring 134, and leaving at least a dozen missing after toppling buildings and sparking tsunami warnings across the region.
Provincial authorities said the death toll was likely to rise as rescue workers continued searching through rubble and authorities struggled with power cuts and damaged communications. In Sarangani province alone, 14 people were reported dead after a landslide buried homes shortly after the quake, while aftershocks continued to rattle the area.
Tsunami warnings were later lifted in the Philippines and neighboring countries after waves proved less severe than feared. President Ferdinand Marcos ordered coastal residents to move to higher ground immediately and suspended classes across Mindanao.
Lord, it has really collapsed! … The building has really collapsed!” someone can be heard shouting as the abandoned school structure topples.
In another video verified by AFP, young schoolchildren could be seen screaming in the arms of their teachers as the quake violently swayed them back and forth on the ground.
A notice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had said tsunami waves were possible along the coasts of the Philippines, Indonesia, Palau, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
But by mid-afternoon, the Philippines and other countries had cancelled their warnings.
Waves that did reach the Pacific coast of Japan, where authorities had issued a tsunami advisory, were reported to be no higher than 20 centimetres (about eight inches).
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, who suspended classes across Mindanao island on what was to have been the first day of school, had called on residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately.
“Move to higher ground now. Do not wait,” he said. “Your life is more important than anything left behind.”