In General Santos, Philippines, rescuers are actively searching through the debris of a collapsed building after a severe earthquake that killed at least 37 people and injured hundreds. Two individuals are believed to still be trapped inside. Regional fire officer Edgar Tanawan, leading the rescue mission, reported that two people were pulled out alive, while a third person was found deceased. Despite utilizing scanners, no signs of life from the remaining two individuals have been detected.
‘It’s difficult to accept, as a mother, that my son is still trapped there,’ expressed Dioslinda Deluvio, as she awaited news of her son’s fate. She hoped for his retrieval to find peace.
The earthquake, registering a magnitude of 7.8, prompted tsunami warnings across several nations. It struck early Monday morning about 12 miles from Sarangani province’s coast. This tremor was felt across Mindanao and extended as far as Manado, 260 miles away on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island.
Officials maintain hope that the death toll remains stable as rescue operations are ongoing. With over 400 individuals reported injured and four still missing, efforts continue uninterrupted. In General Santos, a city of over 700,000, officials declared a state of calamity due to extensive destruction. Debris from collapsed buildings is scattered alongside downed power lines and utility poles.
Disaster response teams are assessing structural damage and working to restore essential services like electricity and water. This quake follows a devastating tremor eight months ago when a 6.9 magnitude event in Cebu killed 79. The Philippines, part of the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ frequently experiences earthquakes.
Schools, recently reopening after a break, halted classes for structural inspections. Many suffered varying degrees of damage. Rafaelito Alejandro, head of civil defense, confirmed this on DZBB radio.
A video from a school captured the quake’s impact, showing students swaying and taking shelter as a structure collapsed.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported 23 significant aftershocks, with magnitudes up to 6.7. Residents spent the night in temporary shelters due to the continuing tremors.
In General Santos and Sarangani, medical personnel provided care in provisional tents. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa mentioned that restoring power is crucial, as outages hinder access to advanced treatments necessary for many patients.
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