A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on Monday morning, killing at least 32 people.

The seismological agencies of the Philippines and Indonesia issued tsunami warnings, advising people along the coast to evacuate to higher ground or travel inland. Both countries lifted their alerts later on Monday.

Tsunami damage was reported in at least one village after the earthquake sent 1-meter (3-foot) waves into nearby coasts.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said authorities were moving fast to coordinate disaster response.

"The national government is moving and we will not leave Mindanao behind," Marcos said in a statement.

The Philippines lies on the edge of the Pacific's so-called 'Ring of Fire' — an arc of seismic faults that makes the country unusually prone to volcanos, earthquakes and tsunamis.

At least 32 killed, over 200 injured

According to officials from the disaster agency, the death toll from the earthquake has reached at least 32, while more than 200 people were injured. A number of people are also missing.

General Santos, a port city in the south of Mindanao with a population of over 700,000 and a hub for tuna exports and other commerce, was among the areas hit hardest by the earthquake.

"Many buildings were affected, but I cannot enumerate them now because we are busy with ongoing rescues," Master Sergeant Robert Dagon of the General Santos City police told the AFP news agency.

“A number of buildings collapsed. Some houses also collapsed.”

The quake struck 24.7 kilometers (15.3 miles) west-southwest of the Philippine town of Burias at a depth of 35 kilometers (22 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.

-- with Agencies inputs --