Philippines earthquake death toll rises to 37

Philippine authorities have reported that the death toll from a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines has climbed to 37. The quake, which hit near the coast of Sarangani province on Monday morning, also left 479 people injured and four individuals still unaccounted for. Search and rescue operations are actively continuing on Mindanao Island.

The earthquake's impact was severe, causing extensive damage across multiple areas. Reports indicate significant destruction to buildings, widespread power and water outages, and landslides. The Soccsksargen region, encompassing Sarangani, General Santos, and South Cotabato, recorded the highest number of casualties. Officials from the Philippine Office of Civil Defense confirmed these figures.

Beyond the immediate casualties, the earthquake displaced over 22,000 residents out of the approximately 88,000 affected. Thousands of homes were destroyed, and hundreds of classrooms sustained damage. Damage assessments are ongoing, and officials have cautioned the public about the possibility of further aftershocks in the region.