Deaths rise to 37 after 7.8-magnitude Mindanao quake; retrieval ops continue — OCD

At least 37 fatalities have been logged following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Mindanao on Monday, with retrieval operations still ongoing, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday.

Injured individuals also climbed to 488, while four remain missing, OCD Deputy Spokesperson Diego Mariano Agustin told reporters via Viber as of 5:00 p.m.

Of the total number of deaths, 33 were reported in Region XII, including the four missing persons, while four fatalities were reported in Region XI.

Meanwhile, OCD Administrator Harold N. Cabreros told President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during a Palace briefing on Tuesday that search, rescue, and retri operations are ongoing for four possible victims of the quake.

“We are still conducting operations in Gensan for two suspected victims and also here in Sarangani, in Balut Island. So there are four,” Mr. Cabreros told the President.

SSR personnel conducting the operations are 210 in total and remain on standby, he also said.

The OCD chief also reported that 19 roads and nine bridges are impassable, while one seaport and one airport are not operational.

He also reported that a total of 1,889 houses were damaged.

Meanwhile, infrastructure damage reached a total of 127, with estimated losses of P15 million, based on the 8:00 a.m. situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The majority of the damage cost was recorded in Region XII at P14.5 million, covering 49 infrastructures. The remaining damage cost was in Region XI at P500,000, covering 77 infrastructures.

The report noted that figures may change as validation is still ongoing.

The number of affected individuals from the 7.8-magnitude quake reached 88,000, with the majority still in Region XII at 73,172, based on the report.

Of the affected individuals, 19,635 are taking shelter in 39 evacuation centers, while 1,055 are being served outside these centers. — Edg Adrian A. Eva