Deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits southern Philippines

The earthquake, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, was felt across a large portion of the southern region, shaking buildings, disrupting transportation, and causing power outages in multiple communities. Authorities reported that the strong tremor collapsed structures and damaged roads, complicating rescue and recovery operations.

Emergency officials confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries, though the exact number of casualties remained unclear as rescue teams continued to assess the extent of the destruction. Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search operations proceed in heavily affected areas.