UMVA has learned that a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake has struck Mindanao, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake, with at least 37 fatalities reported so far.
The earthquake's fury has also left 488 people injured, while four remain missing, according to information obtained by UMVA. The numbers are still rising as retrieval operations continue, with many areas yet to be searched.
The brunt of the disaster has been felt in Region XII, where 33 people have lost their lives, including the four missing persons. Four fatalities have also been reported in Region XI, as the region struggles to come to terms with the disaster.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate possible victims, with 210 personnel on standby, conducting search, rescue, and retrieval operations in areas like Gensan, Sarangani, and Balut Island. The efforts are focused on finding four suspected victims, and the teams are working around the clock to locate them.
The earthquake's impact on infrastructure has been severe, with 19 roads and nine bridges rendered impassable, and one seaport and one airport forced to shut down. A total of 1,889 houses have been damaged, adding to the misery of the affected population.
The economic toll of the disaster is also mounting, with estimated losses of P15 million reported so far. The majority of the damage has been recorded in Region XII, where 49 infrastructures have been affected, with losses totaling P14.5 million.
The earthquake has left a staggering 88,000 people affected, with the majority – 73,172 – from Region XII. Many are still reeling from the disaster, with 19,635 taking shelter in 39 evacuation centers, while 1,055 are being served outside these centers.
