Dozens feared dead after earthquake strikes Philippines. See the damage

At least 32 people are believed to have died and dozens injured when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Philippines.

The earthquake struck just before 7:40 a.m. local time on Monday, June 8, off the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, according to the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. The quake led to multiple tsunami warnings across several countries, and authorities predicted the first waves would arrive between 7:37 a.m. and 9:37 a.m.

"These waves may continue for hours," the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines wrote, adding that a tsunami warning had been issued for nine areas, including Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Basila.

Residents in coastal areas had been told to evacuate and head to higher ground. After six hours, the tsunami warnings were canceled in the southern Philippines, northern Indonesia ​and the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo island.

The Philippines and Indonesia ​lie along the Ring of Fire, an active horseshoe-shaped region of the Pacific Ocean. It extends "from the southern tip of South America, along the west coast of North America, across the Bering Strait, down through Japan and into New Zealand," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Officials in the Philippines sent military and disaster response teams to verify preliminary reports of deaths and injuries, including 32 people killed and 134 ​injured across Mindanao, Reuters reported. Most injuries came from falling debris and landslides, the report said.

Photos show damage after earthquake in the Philippines

The earthquake came about eight months after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the Philippines in October, followed by a second quake that same day. At least seven people were killed, authorities said. The initial quake hit offshore from Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines at 9:45 a.m. local time Oct. 10, followed by the second one at about 7:12 p.m. that day.

See photos below of the damage from both earthquakes.

President deploys disaster response

After Monday’s quake, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered disaster response in Mindanao, including relief supplies and evacuation centers, as well as possible rescue operations.

"The (Department of Social Welfare and Development) is on standby to assess damage to roads, bridges, and critical infrastructure, and to clear routes needed for rescue and relief operations," he said in a news release.

The earthquake struck just as students returned to school from break, Reuters reported. According to the president’s office, social media posts showed students trying to get to safety during flag-raising ceremonies Monday morning. Videos also showed vehicles trapped underneath debris from damaged buildings.

Marcos suspended classes in all levels across parts of Mindanao.

"The safety of our children comes first," he said. "To our kababayans (countrymen) in the affected provinces, please heed the tsunami warning. Move to higher ground now. Do not wait. Your life is more important than anything left behind."

Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Dinah Voyles Pulver

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s trending team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at [email protected].