Quake death toll climbs to 45

MANILA, Philippines, June 11 ------ The number of reported deaths due to Monday’s magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Mindanao climbed to 45 yesterday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported, as search and rescue operations continue in affected provinces.

The NDRRMC said the number of missing persons also rose from four to 17, all in the Davao and Soccsksargen regions. Meanwhile, Bureau of Fire Protection spokesman Supt. Anthony Arroyo said fatalities are already as high as 53, pending validation, with 43 from Soccsksargen and 10 from Davao.

The number of injured persons stands at 487 with a total of 149,372 persons affected in both regions plus Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Of the number, some 32,464 persons are taking temporary shelter in 57 different evacuation centers in affected communities. So far, the NDRRMC said more than P4.8 million worth of both food and non-food assistance has been provided to affected families.

Three days after the tectonic earthquake that recorded its epicenter in Maasim, Sarangani shook Mindanao, accurate estimates on damage to property and infrastructure have yet to be released. The NDRRMC, meanwhile, gave assurance that search and rescue operations will continue as various disaster response teams come together to provide assistance.

Lending a hand, the Philippine Army’s 18-member Urban Search and Rescue team is also helping in search, rescue and retrieval operations, particularly for a collapsed supermarket in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. Troops and other responders have also facilitated the air evacuation of four rescued residents from Balut Island at the southern tip of Davao Occidental.

The Philippine Army said it has deployed around 253 personnel in General Santos City and other earthquake-hit areas while around 607 personnel are currently on stand-by. Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said the Office of the Civil Defense has designated the Armed Forces of the Philippines as the lead agency in the conduct of search and rescue operations.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered an inspection of buildings, infrastructure and residential houses on the southern part of Mindanao, while the Philippine National Police has instructed police commanders to assist isolated communities.

Source: philstar.com