At least 19 dead after major earthquake strikes southern Philippines

A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao island in the southern Philippines on Monday, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and injuring over 134 individuals across several provinces, including South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Sarangani. The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and Australia, although some alerts were later canceled. Videos from the scene depicted significant destruction, including the collapse of buildings, notably a Jollibee fast food restaurant. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured that the national government is coordinating disaster response efforts and has ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas, coinciding with the start of the school year. Reports indicate that more than 130 aftershocks have been recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.7. The earthquake also caused temporary disruptions to power and communication networks in Sarangani province, which have since been restored. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is expected to provide an official count of casualties and damages in the coming days, as they compile data from various local sources.