Overview
- A 7.8-magnitude quake struck off the coast near Maasim in Sarangani province on Monday and caused widespread building collapses, landslides and a tsunami alert.
- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported about 47 dead, 31 missing and 688 injured with more than 346,000 people affected and roughly 45,000 displaced.
- More than 12,600 homes and thousands of public buildings including schools were damaged, while 45 road sections, eight bridges, an airport and two seaports sustained disruptions that have cut transport and power to many towns.
- Rescue teams face more than 2,000 aftershocks, some as high as magnitude 6.4, and blocked roads that have stalled access to rural villages and prompted local officials to request immediate helicopter airlifts for food, water and medical aid.
- The Philippine government, the Red Cross, the IFRC and major church groups have mobilized emergency relief, set up medical tents and launched nationwide donation drives while authorities warn recovery and repairs will take months.