No fewer than 19 people have died following a devastating earthquake which has also injured others and several individuals missing in the Philippines.
The mishap, a magnitude 7.8 which also destroyed properties of yet to be known value, shattered buildings, toppled landmarks, and sent shockwaves of fear across several communities in the Asian country leading to the number of casualties
The quake occurred on Monday at 07:37, prompting warnings in the country and nearby Indonesia, Japan, and Australia.
Videos show scenes of devastation, including a Jollibee fast food restaurant reduced to rubble in General Santos City.
A local official reported at least 134 injuries across South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos, though the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is still verifying figures.
Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, vowed swift action disclosing that the national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind.
Marcos Jn ordered the suspension of classes in affected areas, coinciding with the first day of the school year, as terrified students were filmed crouching on the shaking ground in Davao Occidental.
Authorities in Japan initially warned of one-metre tsunami waves, though only smaller surges were recorded, including 20cm in the Ogasawara Islands.
Waves ranging from a few centimetres to 1.4m were also detected along coasts in Indonesia, Palau, and the Philippines, underscoring the regional impact of the disaster.
Power and communication networks were temporarily downed in Sarangani province but later restored, the government notifying that emergency rescuing would and orderliness would be effected, and more updates would be passed in due course.