Largest Earthquake of the Year Strikes Southern Philippines

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines on Monday, killing at least 35 people, injuring hundreds, and triggering a 3-foot tsunami.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake hit off the shores near General Santos City in Sarangani province on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 07:37 a.m. local time. Several low-rise buildings in General Santos either collapsed or sustained heavy damage, and a landslide in Glan killed at least 13 villagers, the Associated Press reports.

At least 200 people were left wounded by the aftermath. The Philippine Seismic Network (PSN) has recorded at least 138 aftershocks.

The international airport in General Santos was temporarily shut due to the earthquake, and 17 domestic flights were canceled (via AP). Search-and-rescue operations remain ongoing in affected areas.

Tsunami warnings were briefly issued for parts of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia before being lifted several hours later.

At the time of publication, there were no reports of significant impacts to major tourism destinations elsewhere in the Philippines, including Manila, Cebu, Boracay, and Palawan. Advisors with clients currently traveling in or planning visits to the country should monitor updates from local authorities, airlines, and tour operators as recovery efforts continue.

The earthquake is the largest to hit the Philippines this year. The country sits on the “ring of fire”: a horseshoe-shaped geological belt circling the Pacific Ocean that is known for being the most seismically active zone on Earth. Other countries in this zone include Japan and Indonesia.

This story is ongoing and will be updated as more information becomes available.