A major 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the southern Philippines island of Mindanao early Monday. Damage and casualties were still being assessed. Image courtesy Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
June 7 (UPI) -- Emergency officials said damage assessments were underway early Monday in the Philippines after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake jolted Sarangani province in the southern island of Minanao.
The powerful quake came at 7:37 a.m. local time and was centered about 20 miles west of of the town of Maasim at a depth of 20 miles.
The Office of Civil Defense received early reports of major damage to infrastructure in the area although no official verification of casualties had yet been received.
"There are reports of major damage in various infrastructure," agency officials told reporters. "Electricity and communications are affected as well. Evacuation is also ongoing in affected coastal areas."
