Philippines earthquake LIVE: Tsunami alert issued as huge 7.8 magnitude quake hits Mindanao

Philippines earthquake LIVE: Tsunami alert issued as huge 7.8 magnitude quake hits Mindanao An estimated magnitude 7.8 earthquake was felt near Mindanao shortly before 7.40am local time A tsunami threat has been advised for the Philippines and several nearby countries after a massive earthquake struck Mindanao. The earthquake was felt in Davao City shortly before 7.40am local time on Monday, June 8, 2026. The earthquake was initially estimated at a magnitude 8.2, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has downgraded the earthquake to 7.8 magnitude. Chilling footage captured the moment the earthquake struck Sarangani in the Philippines, showing building crumbling as the tectonic plates shifted with force. A tsunami threat has been issued for several countries the world waits to see the effects of the quake. Possible tsunami alerts have been issued for the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, Palau, Yap, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea and the west coast of the United States. New Zealand and Australia both shared concerns of a tsunami earlier in the day, but later said giant waves are no longer a worry. This is an ongoing event and updates will be provided. Key Events Footage posted on social media showed tidal swells in the Philippines after the earthquake was recorded. Police have confirmed that the earthquake has killed at least three people and injured five others. They estimate that the quake also damaged 37 buildings, mostly commercial. Tsunami waves have been reported in six areas in Mindanao following the M 7.8 earthquake in Sarangani. - Maasim - Kiamba - Kalamansig - Mati - Zamboanga - Tandag City The General Santos Airport in Philippines has been evacuated following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Videos circulating on social media shows the ceiling of the airport has collapsed and debris has been strewn across the floor and baggage collection carousels. Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has forecasted that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 7.37am and 2026, to 9.37am on June 8, 2026. It said the waves may continue for hours. Arlene Hollero, disaster chief of Maasim town in the Philippines' Sarangani province, told Reuters news agncy that their evacuation was underway in coastal villages. Water receded shortly after the quake, but the seas were normal so far, she said, adding a bridge suffered some cracks and a shrine with a huge cross collapsed. "It's devastating," Hollero told Reuters by phone. Philippine President Bongbong Marcos said authorities were moving fast to coordinate disaster response. "The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind," he said in a statement. The UK's Foreign Office has updated it's travel advice following the earthquake in Mindanao. The update from the FCDO reads: "On 8 June 2026, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck southern Mindanao. Aftershocks are expected, and there may be damage to buildings and infrastructure in affected areas. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued a tsunami threat and advised residents and visitors in affected coastal areas to evacuate to higher ground." The Philippines lies on the "Pacific Ring of Fire". The "Pacific Ring of Fire" is a seismically active belt stretching from South America to the Russian Far East, about 25,000 miles. It has a string of underwater volcanoes and sites of increased seismic activity. At least one person has been killed in today's quake in the Philippines. Four people have been injured, local police told French news agency AFP. The massive earthquake struck near Mindanao and was felt in Davao City shortly before 7.40am local time on Monday, June 8. Mindanao, the southernmost of the country's three main island groups, is the second-largest island in the Philippines. Philippines President Bongbong Marcos has told people to heed local warnings and move immediately to higher ground. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.0. It warned of damage and tsunami waves above one metre. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has cancelled its tsunami watch warning for the country's coast and its territories.The cancellation was issued by the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) at 10.38am AEST. The BoM statement reads: "An undersea earthquake of magnitude 7.8 occurred at 9.37am AEST on Monday 8, June 2026 near Mindanao, Philippines." "No tsunami waves have been observed that pose a threat to the Australian mainland, islands or territories." "THE TSUNAMI WATCH FOR AUSTRALIA IS CANCELLED. No further updates will be issued unless the situation changes." RD Plaza building collapsed following the earthquake, DZRH NEWS reported. The building was home to LOVE Radio Gensan and DZRH News FM. It is unclear whether there are any casualties. The National Emergency Management Agency has determined there is unlikely to be a tsunami threat to New Zealand based on the current data. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has downgraded the earthquake to 7.8 magnitude quake. ABC Darwin is reporting a tsunami watch is in force for Austaralia's Northern Territory. Those living near the coast have been told to keep up to date with official updates. The Bureau of Meteorology and the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre has said that if a tsunami is generated it would not reach Australia until 2.30pm ACST. Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has said Honolulu recorded the earthquake as magnitude 8.2 at a depth of 63km. The Japanese Meteorological Society has issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas in the southern parts of the country. New Zealand Civil Defence wrote in a post on Facebook: "We are assessing whether the M8.2 Philippines earthquake poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand. If a tsunami has been generated it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least 10 hours." Possible tsunami warnings have been issued the following countries: - Philippines - West coast of the United States - Indonesia - Palau - Yap - Taiwan - Papua New Guinea Tsunami warnings have been issued for several countries. An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck Mindanao in the Philippines. The earthquake measured at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles).