Death Toll From 7.8 Magnitude Earthquake In Philippines Rises To 37

According to a report by Philstar, citing government officials, the earthquake occurred 26 kilometres southwest of Kablalan town in Sarangani province’s Soccsksargen region on the island of Mindanao.

Officials said 456 people were injured in the quake, while four others remain missing. A total of 77,186 people have been affected.

Authorities stated that most of the fatalities were caused by falling debris from collapsed buildings.

Damage to roads and bridges has also been reported. Officials said preliminary assessments show that 1,889 homes were damaged, with around 1,500 completely destroyed.

They added that the extent of the damage makes it difficult to determine how long recovery efforts will take, while search, rescue and debris removal operations continue.

Officials also confirmed that food and water supplies remain sufficient, but fuel and generators have been dispatched to hospitals due to damage to electricity transmission lines.

General Santos Airport was also damaged in the quake, leading to flight cancellations and diversions to other airports.

Authorities said discussions are ongoing about setting up temporary shelters for displaced residents, as many people continue to stay in open areas due to aftershocks and safety concerns.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at a depth of 55.2 kilometres, followed by several aftershocks ranging between magnitude 4.6 and 6.5.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr urged residents in tsunami-vulnerable areas to move immediately to higher ground, while a tsunami warning was issued for parts of the Pacific coast.

The Philippines, located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences strong earthquakes and volcanic activity.