Abu dhabi: A Philippine disaster official said Monday that authorities are verifying reports of at least five deaths in the southern city of General Santos from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake. Agripino Dacera, Disaster Chief in General Santos, stated that the fatalities are still being verified as authorities assess the extent of the damage on the ground.

According to Emirates News Agency, the earthquake has caused significant concern among residents and officials alike. The verification process is crucial to confirm the number of casualties and to coordinate the necessary emergency response efforts. The earthquake's impact on infrastructure and potential aftershocks are also being closely monitored by local authorities.