A powerful earthquake struck the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 35 people and injuring scores more, officials said. The 6.8-magnitude tremor, which hit near the coastal town of General Santos City, caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure, triggering landslides that buried several homes.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the quake occurred at a depth of 20 kilometres, with the epicentre about 20 kilometres southeast of General Santos. The agency warned of aftershocks and urged residents to remain vigilant.
Rescue workers are racing against time to search for survivors trapped under rubble, with the death toll expected to rise as more bodies are recovered. Hundreds of people have been displaced, with many seeking refuge in temporary shelters set up by the government.
The United Kingdom has signalled its readiness to dispatch emergency aid to the Philippines, according to a statement from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. A spokesperson said the UK stood in solidarity with the Philippines and was in close contact with local authorities to assess needs. The UK has pledged to provide logistical support and possibly a team of search-and-rescue specialists if requested.
The European Union also expressed condolences, with the EU’s Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic, stating that the bloc’s Copernicus satellite system had been activated to assist with damage assessment.
This is the latest natural disaster to strike the Philippines, a country prone to earthquakes and typhoons due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire. In 2013, a 7.2-magnitude quake killed more than 200 people in Bohol province. The government has been criticised for inadequate enforcement of building codes, which experts say has exacerbated the death toll in many seismic events.
International relief organisations, including the Red Cross, are mobilising resources. The Philippine Red Cross reported 35 fatalities, with over 200 injured. Chairman Richard Gordon appealed for blood donations and called on the government to speed up relief efforts.
The UK’s offer of aid reflects its commitment to maintaining influence in the Indo-Pacific region, a key priority for British foreign policy. The gesture is also likely to reinforce bilateral ties with Manila, which has become an important security partner in the region amid rising tensions over the South China Sea.
