A powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 19 people and injuring more than 200 others, according to officials.
The quake hit at 7:37 a.m. local time, causing severe shaking across several provinces, damaging buildings and infrastructure, and triggering tsunami alerts across parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
A tsunami wave measuring up to 1 meter reached nearby Philippine coasts, while smaller waves were recorded in Indonesia, Palau and southern Japan.
Authorities said casualty figures could change as assessments continue in affected areas.
The strongest impacts were reported in and around General Santos, a major port city and commercial hub near the earthquake's epicenter.
Several buildings collapsed, including a Jollibee restaurant that was reduced to rubble, according to images and videos circulating after the quake.
Injuries were reported across South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos, while power and communication networks were temporarily disrupted in parts of Sarangani before being restored.
Officials also reported tsunami-related damage in at least one coastal village.
More than 130 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 1.3 to 6.7, were recorded following the initial quake, raising concerns about further structural damage.
Authorities urged residents to avoid returning to damaged buildings until safety inspections are completed.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said government agencies were coordinating disaster response efforts and pledged support for affected communities.
He also ordered the suspension of classes in impacted areas, as the earthquake struck on the first day of the school year.
Videos from schools in Davao Occidental showed students taking cover outdoors as the ground shook.
Tsunami alerts were issued in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan and Australia following the quake, though some warnings were later lifted.
Japanese authorities reported small tsunami waves reaching Okinawa and the Ogasawara Islands, while monitoring continued across affected coastlines.
Emergency officials continued damage assessments as rescue and recovery operations remained underway across southern Mindanao.