MANILA: The death toll in the Monday’s 6.7-magnitude earthquake in the southern Philippines has risen to nine.
The devastating earthquake had struck the Mindanao region on Friday. Rescue efforts are underway and authorities believe that the number may increase.
The quake prompted panic as people rushed into the streets, and several buildings, including a shopping mall, witnessed structural damage. Over 800 houses were either damaged or destroyed, leaving at least 15 individuals injured.
Search operations have identified more casualties buried under debris, contributing to the rising death toll. While search efforts are winding down, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council continues to receive data from affected villages.
The quake’s origin is attributed to the movement of the earth’s crust along the Cotabato trench, emphasizing the seismic vulnerability of the Philippines situated within the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”
