A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck the southern Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 35 people and injuring dozens more, according to official figures. The tremor, which hit the island of Mindanao at 10:37 am local time, caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, triggering landslides that buried homes and cut off remote communities.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded the epicentre near the town of Marbel in South Cotabato province, at a depth of 20 kilometres. The quake was felt across a wide area, including Davao City, where residents fled into the streets as buildings swayed.
In the hard-hit town of Malungon, rescuers dug through rubble in search of survivors after a school collapsed. At least 25 people were pulled alive from the debris, but officials fear the death toll will rise as emergency services reach isolated areas. Hospitals in General Santos City reported treating more than 100 people for injuries including fractures and crush wounds.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the military to deploy troops to assist in search and rescue operations. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a tsunami warning for coastal areas within 300 kilometres of the epicentre, but it was later lifted.
The British government has offered assistance, with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office placing emergency response teams on standby. A spokesperson said: "The United Kingdom stands ready to support the Philippines in its response to this devastating earthquake."
The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a horseshoe-shaped zone of intense seismic activity. Tuesday's quake was the strongest to hit Mindanao since a magnitude 6.9 tremor in 2019 killed at least 20 people. The country has been grappling with a series of natural disasters, including a recent typhoon that displaced thousands.
In the aftermath, residents spent the night outdoors, fearing aftershocks. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that power supplies were cut in several provinces and communication lines were down in many areas. The government has declared a state of calamity in South Cotabato and neighbouring provinces, allowing access to emergency funds.
International aid agencies, including the Red Cross, have mobilised teams to provide shelter, food and medical care. The European Union also expressed its condolences and offered assistance.
The earthquake exacerbated the challenges faced by authorities already dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Rai, which struck the same region in December, killing over 400 people. Analysts warn that Mindanao's fragile infrastructure, compounded by poverty and conflict, will slow the relief effort.
London's role as a humanitarian partner remains significant. The UK has provided £36 million in aid to the Philippines since 2020, funding disaster resilience programmes. The government's offer of British military engineers and medical teams could prove critical in the coming days.
As night fell on Mindanao, survivors searched for missing family members. One rescue worker described the scene as "carnage" with bodies laid out in makeshift morgues. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that aftershocks of magnitude 6.0 or higher were possible in the next 48 hours.
The earthquake underlines the persistent vulnerability of the Philippines to seismic shocks, a nation accustomed to shifting tectonic plates. For now, the international community watches, with Britain ready to deploy aid if requested.
