Jakarta, en.SERU.co.id – A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattled Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday (8/6/2026), prompting tsunami warnings across several countries in the region.
Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported small tsunami waves along parts of eastern Indonesia and recorded at least 20 aftershocks following the main quake. Authorities urged residents to remain calm, stay vigilant for further tremors, and rely only on official updates.
The main earthquake struck near Maasim in Sarangani Province, Mindanao. Hours later, a 6.1-magnitude aftershock hit the same area. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the aftershock was centered about eight kilometers northwest of Sarangani at a depth of 67 kilometers.
BMKG head Teuku Faisal Fathani said the quake, located roughly 244 kilometers northwest of Karatung Island in North Sulawesi at a shallow depth of 47 kilometers, generated small tsunami waves felt not only in the Philippines but also detected in several eastern Indonesian regions.
“This was a shallow earthquake caused by subduction zone activity with a thrust fault mechanism,” Faisal stated, as quoted from the BMKG website.
Minor Tsunami Waves Recorded in Indonesia
BMKG detected slight sea level rises in multiple locations. Waves reached 0.09 meters in Kedi, North Maluku, while Ulu Siau and Melonguane saw heights of 0.18 and 0.19 meters respectively. Additional increases were observed in Tahuna, Paleleh, Tanjung Sidupa, Bitung, and Ternate.
The highest wave was recorded in Talengan at 0.75 meters around 8:20 WIB. “Observations show no significant or dangerous rise in sea levels,” Faisal added.
Based on the latest monitoring, BMKG lifted the tsunami early warning at 10:15 WIB.
“Considering current conditions and observations from affected areas showing no further significant sea level rises, the tsunami early warning has been terminated,” he said.
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Multiple Aftershocks Felt Across Indonesia
BMKG’s Deputy for Geophysics, Nelly Florida, reported that by 10:00 WIB, at least 20 aftershocks ranging from magnitude 3.9 to 6.7 had occurred. Two of them were felt by communities in Indonesia.
In Miangas and Melonguane, shaking reached Intensity VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, causing wall plaster to collapse and minor building damage. In Siau and Tagulandang, Intensity V MMI led to objects inside homes being thrown and poles visibly swaying.
Tremors were also felt in Morotai, North Halmahera, Manado, Toli-Toli, Gorontalo, Palu, Bitung, and several areas in North Maluku and Sulawesi at lower intensities of III to IV MMI.
BMKG Director for Earthquakes and Tsunamis Wijayanto advised the public to inspect buildings before resuming normal activities.
“If there are still cracks or damage, please pay attention and avoid entering the premises immediately,” he said.
The Philippines’ Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported substantial infrastructure damage across affected regions, including the Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Power outages and communication disruptions were reported, while coastal residents were evacuated as a precaution. The OCD’s emergency operations center remained on full red alert.
Local police reported at least three deaths and five injuries, with around 37 buildings, mostly commercial properties, damaged, according to BBC.
Tsunami Warnings Issued in Japan and Beyond
The quake’s impact extended as far as Japan, where the Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific coast. Waves up to one meter were expected to reach certain coastal areas from around 11:30 local time.
Tsunami alerts were also briefly issued for Taiwan and Papua New Guinea.
Although the tsunami warning has been lifted in Indonesia, BMKG continues to monitor aftershock activity around the clock for the next 24 hours. The agency reminded the public to stay calm and avoid unverified information circulating online. (aan/mzm)
