7.8-Magnitude Quake in Southern Philippines: 47 Dead, Villages Cut Off, Relief Urged

A powerful 7.8-magnitude offshore earthquake struck southern Philippines earlier this week, leaving a trail of destruction across multiple provinces and prompting urgent appeals for aerial relief operations to reach cut-off communities.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the country in decades, struck off the coast of Sarangani province , killing at least 47 people , injuring 688 , and leaving 31 others missing , according to disaster response officials. More than 45,000 residents have been displaced, with thousands taking shelter in evacuation centres after widespread damage to homes and infrastructure.

In the worst-affected areas, landslides triggered by the tremor buried houses and blocked key roads, particularly in the coastal town of Glan , where local authorities reported significant access challenges. Officials said 10 out of 31 villages in the town remain isolated, with damaged roads preventing the delivery of essential supplies.

Glan Mayor Victor James Yap has appealed for the immediate deployment of military helicopters to transport food, water, and relief goods to stranded residents. He warned that many communities are running low on basic supplies as ground access remains severely restricted.

“We need food and water, but it is difficult to bring them into several villages that are still cut off,” the mayor said, adding that residents in the isolated areas are facing growing shortages. Power outages continue to affect large parts of the region, while communication networks remain unstable, further slowing relief coordination. Authorities have, however, reopened a key access road, which is expected to allow limited fuel deliveries in the coming days.

The earthquake caused extensive damage across southern provinces, including South Cotabato, Davao Occidental, and General Santos City , where collapsed structures and landslides accounted for most of the fatalities. In coastal areas, sudden sea disturbances were also reported, including waves reaching up to 1.4 metres.

In a separate incident following the quake, two swimmers drowned and one remains missing after being swept away near General Santos. The disaster is being compared to the devastating 1976 Moro Gulf earthquake and tsunami , which claimed thousands of lives, underscoring the Philippines’ vulnerability due to its location along the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire . Emergency response teams continue search-and-rescue operations while struggling to reach remote communities still cut off by debris and landslides.