Quake deaths hit 61; magnitude 4.9 aftershock jolts Sarangani

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Southern and Central Mindanao on June 8 has risen to 61, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The NDRRMC said 54 deaths were reported in Region 12 and seven in Region 11 as of 6 a.m. yesterday.

At least 40 people remain missing while 1,403 have been injured.

The quake affected 724,000 people, with around 10,000 staying in evacuation centers.

Initial damage to infrastructure is estimated at P1 billion. A state of calamity was declared in 13 municipalities.

Initial reports indicated widespread damage to 609 buildings, schools, hospitals and other structures comprising Region 12’s South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City (Soccsksargen).

Power outages and telecommunications blackouts were reported in several affected areas, while damaged roads and bridges have hindered access to some communities.

Relief support and post calamity mitigation interventions are being provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development 12, the Police Regional Office 12, the Bureau of Fire Protection 12 and soldiers from the Army’s 6th and 10th Infantry Divisions.

The NDRRMC said P67.6 million in assistance were provided to affected families.

The earthquake struck at 7:37 a.m., about 32 kilometers offshore west of Maasim in Sarangani province.

It was the first day of the new school year for millions of students.

More than 3.2 million learners have been affected, with classes suspended in over 6,200 public and private schools pending safety inspections and structural assessments.

The United Nations Children’s Fund said it was concerned about the impact on children.

A magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit Sarangani anew yesterday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office yeserday sent another major batch of food packs and emergency assets to Southern Mindanao targeted for delivery to previously isolated areas.

The Department of Public Works and Highways has mobilized 24/7 clearing and restoration operations across Mindanao.

The General Santos International Airport will resume commercial flight operations starting today, the Department of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.

The Commission on Higher Education distributed tertiary education subsidies to 786 students studying in schools located at the quake-affected province of South Cotabato.

Pope Leo XIV has expressed his "closeness" with the Filipino people and prayed for the deceased and their families.

Coastal uplift

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday it will be investigating a coastal uplift along the shores in Glan, which was reported by residents on June 10.

Glan residents said sea levels remained low and had not returned to the normal state since the earthquake. — Josiah Antonio, John Unson, Rainier Allan Ronda, Evelyn Macairan, Rudy Santos