A strong earthquake in the Philippines has caused at least 32 deaths

Jun 09(Jowhar)-A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude struck the southern island of Mindanao in the Philippines, confirming the death toll at least 32 people, according to disaster officials, as Manila intensified search and rescue efforts while assessing widespread damage.

The earthquake, strong enough to trigger tsunami warnings in several countries, struck early in the morning approximately 20 km off the coast of Sarangani province. The tremor was felt in Mindanao and as far away as Manado, about 420 km from the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.

General Santos City, the hardest-hit area with a population of about 700,000, residents described the tremor as frightening and unlike anything they had experienced before.

“It was the first time I experienced something strong, and I really couldn’t help but shed tears. I thought about my children and my daughter, what would happen if something happened to them?” said Jojo Calma, 44, who was driving his taxi with three motorcycle riders in front of a building when it collapsed.

Footage of the collapsed building

Footage captured by the local government showed the moment the building – which was a fast-food outlet – crumbled, causing onlookers to run as a large cloud of dust poured onto the street.

Mr. Calma said his children were at school when the earthquake struck and are safe, although his brother's house was destroyed. “Thank God they are fine,” he said.

The earthquake occurred as schools were returning from a long break.