Huge magnitude 8.2 earthquake strikes the Philippines as residents urged to seek higher ground amid tsunami threat

Published: 01:28, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 01:28, 8 June 2026 A huge earthquake has struck the Philippines with the region now facing a tsunami threat. The quake, which was recorded as an 8.2 magnitude, struck at a depth of 10km on Monday morning, according to the German ​Research Centre ​for Geosciences (GFZ). The GFZ said the Philippines island of Mindanao was struck with authorities now warning residents to seek higher ground after a series of tsunami alerts were issued. 'Based on the local tsunami scenario database, it is expected to experience wave heights of more than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straits,' the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement. 'It is forecasted that the first tsunami waves will arrive between 07:37am to 09:37am (PST). These waves may continue for hours.' People in the coastal areas of Sarangani, Davao Occidental, Tawi-tawi, Sulu, Basilan, Zamboanga Del Sur, Zamboanga Sibuga, Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato are strongly advised to immediately evacuate to higher grounds or move inland. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency is also assessing whether the earthquake has caused a tsunami that could affect New Zealand. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.