(Adnkronos) – At least 55 people have died, 38 are missing, and 1,120 are injured following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck the southern coast of Mindanao, in the Philippines. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the earthquake affected over 86,000 families, totaling over 390,000 people. Approximately 19,000 homes were damaged, and electricity supply was interrupted in 48 cities and municipalities. Roads, bridges, airports, and port infrastructure sustained damage. General Santos International Airport, in addition to commercial flights, hosts military and humanitarian aid flights. A total of over 3,700 people have been deployed for search and rescue operations in the most affected areas.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology stated that the tectonic earthquake occurred at a depth of 33 km, with its epicenter 32 km southwest of the coast of Maasim town, Sarangani province, on Mindanao island. The institute reported that over 3,860 aftershocks were recorded following the main quake. The Philippines is subject to frequent seismic activity due to its location along the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ an area of significant tectonic plate boundaries known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
