A strong earthquake of magnitude 7.8 shook the area off the coast of the southern Philippines, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

So far, the death toll exceeds 32 and the injured number more than 100, according to the Philippine Civil Defense Office.

According to Rodrigo Sosmeña, the local director of civil defense, 12 of the fatalities were reported in Soccsksargen, a region that covers four provinces and one city: South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City.

The earthquake that shook the island of Mindanao occurred around 7:38 am (local time) this Monday.

Multiple aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquake ranging between magnitudes of 1.3 and 6.7.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that tsunami waves of up to three meters were possible off the coast of the Philippines. There was also the possibility of waves of up to one meter in regions of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Lower tsunami wave heights could occur in Taiwan, Japan, Guam, Papua New Guinea, and several island nations and territories in the western Pacific.

“Head to higher ground right now.”

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said tsunami warnings were in effect in several coastal provinces in Mindanao.

“To our compatriots in the affected provinces: please heed the tsunami warning,” he said.

"Head to higher ground right now. Don't wait. Your life is more important than anything you leave behind."

Marcos assured that he maintains “constant communication” with local authorities and will offer updates as the situation evolves.

“The national government is acting and we will not leave Mindanao behind.”

Videos and images of the devastation caused in General Santos appeared on social networks.

Videos recorded by neighbors and shared by Philippine authorities show damaged storefronts and at least two Jollibee restaurants, a well-known national fast-food chain, collapsing during the quake.

Rescuers are trying to locate people who were reportedly trapped in a building.

Agripino V. Dacera Jr., head of disaster management for the city of General Santos, said power was cut but restored, although internet connection remains spotty.

Classes were suspended and “Philippine civil protection and disaster management agencies are coordinating their response to the catastrophe,” Marcos said in his statement.

For its part, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will prepare emergency supplies and evacuation centers, he added.

Tsunami waves in Indonesia and Japan

The United States Geological Survey indicated that tsunami waves were recorded in Palau, Davao (Philippines) and the province of North Sulawesi (Indonesia).

Separately, the tsunami warning previously issued for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands has been canceled, the USGS reported in an update.

Indonesia's Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) identified tsunami waves at three points along the country's coasts

The agency reported that the waves were detected around 7:20 local time in three points: Kedi, in the province of North Maluku, Ulu Siau and Melonguane.

For their part, Japanese authorities reported tsunami waves up to 1 meter high could reach the islands of Okinawa, in the south of the country, and the prefectures located along the Pacific coast at 11:00 local time.

However, other countries such as Australia and New Zealand ruled out tsunami warnings.

The Philippines is one of the countries most prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc of seismic faults that surrounds the ocean.