7.8 Philippines earthquake levels building housing Jollibee as death toll climbs to 35

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake crushed part of a commercial complex housing a Jollibee restaurant in General Santos City on Monday, as the death toll across the southern Philippines reached at least 35.

Footage shows the building’s upper sections suddenly collapsing onto the ground-floor restaurant. Bystanders scream and retreat as thick clouds of dust engulf the street.

The multi-storey complex also housed local broadcasters LOVE Radio Gensan and DZRH News FM. Rescue teams were deployed around damaged buildings as authorities searched for people potentially trapped beneath debris.

The offshore earthquake struck at 07:37 local time near Sarangani Province. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology classified it as a magnitude 7.8 event and warned that damage and aftershocks were expected.

A powerful magnitude 6.7 aftershock later shook General Santos, Davao and Zamboanga. State seismologists again warned of possible damage and further tremors.

Buildings, roads and utilities were damaged across Mindanao. General Santos International Airport suspended operations after sustaining structural damage, while schools evacuated pupils during the first day of the academic year.

The offshore quake also triggered tsunami warnings across the southern Philippines and neighboring countries. Philippine monitors recorded waves reaching up to 1.4 meters before the alerts were lifted.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mobilized national emergency agencies, military personnel and relief teams. Evacuation centers were opened while crews worked to clear access routes for search-and-rescue operations.