Philippines Earthquake Kills at Least 41 and Injures More Than 450 in Mindanao
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, killing at least 41 people, injuring more than 450 and leaving four missing while triggering tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The Philippines earthquake was the strongest to hit the country this year. [2]
Major Magnitude 7.8 Quake Strikes Mindanao
The quake struck on the first day of the new school term. [2] It hit with its epicenter off the coast of Sarangani's Maasim at a depth of about 33 km. [3] The temblor was detected at 07:37 local time on Monday about 24 km southwest of the island of Burias. [4] Tsunami warnings were issued across parts of the Pacific before they were later lifted after waves measuring 1.48 m were observed in Kiamba township. [2] [3] The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed the arrival of waves in at least six coastal localities before canceling the advisory in the afternoon. [4] The quake caused at least 36 deaths and injured an additional 167 people according to one report, while four remained missing. [3] Separate counts placed the death toll at 35 with 31 in the Soccsksargen region and four in the Davao region. [4]
Aftershocks Hamper Rescue and Recovery
More than 450 aftershocks have been recorded including several between magnitude 6.5 and 6.7. [2] One source reported up to 840 aftershocks with 19 felt and the largest at magnitude 6.7. [3] More than 130 aftershocks were felt in Mindanao with some reaching up to magnitude 6.7 and a more recent one of 5.7 in Sarangani. [4] These continuing tremors slowed rescue operations and complicated access to some affected communities. [2] At a provincial government hospital in neighboring Sarangani patients were moved outside as a precaution against the aftershocks. [2]
Damage and Disruption in Hardest-Hit Areas
In General Santos City and surrounding areas residents cleared debris from damaged homes apartment blocks roads and public buildings amid power outages and concerns over unstable structures near fault lines that may require demolition. [2] Witnesses described walls collapsing floors splitting apart and water and mud emerging from the ground. [2] Some property owners said buildings near known fault lines may have to be demolished because the soil beneath them has become unstable. [2] The earthquake caused landslides and damaged infrastructure with damage estimated at 15 million Philippine pesos. [3] Roads public buildings and utilities were affected while power outages were reported across parts of southern Mindanao. [2] About 10,000 families were affected in the hardest-hit zones where some schools supermarkets and shopping centers collapsed. [4]
Impact on Education and Displacement
The disaster struck on the first day of the new school term for millions of children across Mindanao. [2] Around 3.2 million students have been affected with classes suspended in more than 6,200 public and private schools after damage was reported to educational facilities. [2] A total of 19,529 households with about 88,000 residents had been affected by the earthquake and more than 19,600 of them had been placed in shelters. [3] Relief teams and local authorities are now focused on providing shelter medical assistance and damage assessments as communities begin what is expected to be a lengthy recovery process. [2]
International Offers of Assistance
Taiwan's President William Lai stated that Taiwan stands ready to provide any assistance needed to the Philippines as a close neighbor. [3] Lai wrote that thoughts are with the people of the Philippines following the devastating earthquake and that Taiwan stands ready to provide any assistance needed while praying for a swift recovery and rebuilding effort. [3] The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines reposted the comments and said it is in discussions with government agencies about donations of relief supplies. [3] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended heartfelt condolences and wished the Philippines a swift recovery. [3]
Additional Seismic Activity Recorded
A separate M5.4 earthquake was recorded 21 km SSW of Lumatil at a depth of 35 km. [1] An M5.1 quake struck 6 km SSW of Sibagat at a depth of 10 km. [5]
What to watch next: Authorities continue to evaluate the full extent of the destruction across the southern Philippines with ongoing discussions about relief supplies from Taiwan and assessments of structures that may require demolition due to unstable soil.
