GENERAL SANTOS — A landslide triggered by a powerful earthquake in the southern Philippines has caused additional casualties, disaster officials said on Tuesday, as rescue operations continued in the hardest-hit areas.
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Sarangani province in Mindanao early on Monday morning, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The quake triggered landslides and building collapses, with the death toll rising as more bodies were recovered.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that at least 32 people were killed and more than 200 others injured across Mindanao, with many casualties linked to the initial quake and subsequent landslides. A landslide in Glan, Sarangani province, was among the incidents that added to the toll, civil defense officials said.
The earthquake struck at about 7:37 a.m. local time on Monday, with its epicenter located approximately 32 km offshore west of Maasim in Sarangani province. It was felt strongly across Mindanao and as far as Indonesia, prompting tsunami warnings that were later lifted.
More than 130 aftershocks were recorded, some of significant strength, hampering rescue efforts, the Office of Civil Defense said. Homes, schools, hospitals and other buildings sustained damage, particularly in Sarangani and nearby areas.
"The situation remains fluid with ongoing assessments," an official from the Office of Civil Defense told local media. Rescue teams, including military and fire protection units, were deployed to search for survivors trapped under rubble.
The quake struck on the first day of the school year, affecting more than 3 million learners, with classes suspended in thousands of schools pending safety checks, according to education authorities.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed government agencies to prioritize search and rescue and provide immediate assistance to affected communities. More than 10,000 families have been displaced to evacuation centers, disaster officials said.
The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire and experiences frequent seismic activity. This was one of the strongest earthquakes to hit the country in decades. No immediate details were available on the full economic impact or long-term infrastructure needs.
As of Tuesday, search and rescue operations were continuing, with authorities warning that the casualty figures could rise as more areas are reached. Details on the exact number of people still missing remained unclear, officials said.
