Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 8 June expressed his condolences to Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr following a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani province in Mindanao, killing at least 32 people and leaving 12 others missing. India has declared solidarity with the Philippine government and its people as the country begins assessing the scale of the disaster.

What PM Modi Said

Modi conveyed his condolences directly via a post on X, writing: 'Saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by today's earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Philippines.'

Scale of the Disaster

The earthquake struck Sarangani province on Monday morning, triggering building collapses, landslides, and widespread structural damage. According to Junie Castillo, spokesperson for the Philippines' Office of Civil Defence, at least 10 deaths were recorded in General Santos — a port city in South Cotabato with a population exceeding 700,000. The Philippine National Police reported no fewer than 134 people injured, with fatalities attributed to falling debris, building collapse, and landslides.

Multiple countries issued tsunami warnings in the immediate aftermath; those warnings were subsequently lifted.

Schools and Flights Disrupted

The quake struck shortly after schools across the Philippines had resumed classes following the summer break. Surveillance footage from several institutions captured violent shaking, with teachers and students either evacuating or sheltering under desks. The Department of Education ordered suspension of classes at affected schools — covering more than 5,800 students — to ensure safety.

General Santos International Airport suspended all operations from 8:45 am to 3 pm local time for a safety inspection. Three airlines cancelled a combined 17 domestic flights. Civil aviation authorities subsequently restricted landing and takeoff operations to government, military, and humanitarian flights from Monday at 3 pm through 11 June at 6 pm.

India-Philippines Ties in Context

India and the Philippines maintain warm bilateral relations, with New Delhi having deepened defence and maritime cooperation with Manila in recent years — particularly in the context of shared concerns over the South China Sea. Modi's swift condolence message underscores that diplomatic posture. This is not the first time India has expressed solidarity following a Philippine natural disaster; similar gestures followed major typhoons in previous years.

What Comes Next

Philippine authorities are continuing search-and-rescue operations across affected districts. The full extent of structural damage to buildings, roads, and infrastructure is still being assessed. International relief coordination is expected to ramp up in the coming days as the death toll and missing-persons count are likely to shift with ongoing operations.