The death toll from a strong earthquake in the Philippines has risen to at least 46 after a powerful 7.8-magnitude tremor struck the southern part of the country earlier this week.
The earthquake in the Philippines hit offshore near the island of Mindanao, triggering widespread damage, including collapsed buildings and landslides across several areas.
Search and rescue operations continue
Emergency services are continuing search and rescue operations as dozens of people remain missing.
Authorities reported that at least 17 individuals are still unaccounted for, while rescue teams work through debris despite difficult conditions caused by ongoing aftershocks.
The Philippines disaster management agency confirmed 45 deaths, while civil protection officials placed the overall toll slightly higher, highlighting ongoing discrepancies in early casualty reporting.
Landslides and building collapses
Most of the fatalities have been recorded in the Western Davao province, where landslides and structural collapses caused the majority of deaths.
Officials said that many victims were trapped when buildings gave way during the initial impact of the Philippines earthquake.
Hundreds of aftershocks recorded
Authorities have recorded hundreds of aftershocks, both strong and mild, following the main quake, increasing risks for rescue teams operating in affected areas.
Civil defence official Rafaelito Alejandro said most deaths resulted from landslides and collapsing structures in the worst-hit regions.
Ongoing assessment of damage
Emergency agencies continue to assess the full extent of damage as communications and access remain limited in some remote areas.
The Philippines earthquake is among the strongest to hit the region in recent years, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”.
Source: CNA
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