Death Toll From 'Worst in 50 Years' Philippines Earthquake Hits 41; Rescue Efforts Intensify

The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the southern Philippines has risen to at least 41.

According to AFP, the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that occurred off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines on June 8 (local time) has left at least 41 people dead and 487 injured, with the number of displaced persons estimated to exceed 20,000.

Additionally, about 2,000 houses have been damaged, with over 400 completely collapsed, while 117 government facilities and approximately 20 bridges have been destroyed.

The Philippine Office of Civil Defense stated that while there are officially four people missing, further searches of collapsed buildings are necessary to locate additional survivors or victims.

In General Santos, a major city with a population of about 700,000 located approximately 60 kilometers north of the epicenter, rescue teams are combing through the rubble amidst a scene of devastation, with numerous buildings collapsed and utility poles and power lines tangled.

Local fire department official Edgar Tanawan reported that two survivors were rescued from a commercial building, while one other person was found dead.

He added that they are working to rescue two more people believed to be trapped under the rubble, though no signs of life have been detected from them yet.

Dioslinda Delubio, 65, whose son is believed to be buried, told Reuters, "As a mother, it is so hard to accept that my son is still trapped there," expressing her anguish.

"My only wish is to get him back today so that we can find peace," she added.

In General Santos, at least 13 people died due to building collapses and other incidents, while at least 18 people were killed by landslides in the nearby province of Sarangani.

Fatalities were also reported in the provinces of South Cotabato and Davao Oriental, as well as on Balut Island.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) stated that a total of over 1,100 aftershocks have occurred since the initial earthquake.

Residents have been unable to return to their homes or buildings, spending the night in shelters or outdoor tents.

Furthermore, classes have been suspended at approximately 6,200 schools in the affected areas to conduct structural safety inspections.

According to the AP, this earthquake is the worst to hit the Philippines in 50 years, since the 8.1-magnitude quake that struck Mindanao on August 17, 1976.

At that time, tsunamis reaching up to 15 meters in height struck the coastal areas, resulting in between 5,000 and 8,000 deaths.

The Philippine central government, led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has dispatched top-level disaster response officials to the region to oversee search and rescue operations.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.