The death toll has reached 32 after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Maasim, Sarangani yesterday morning, causing widespread damage to buildings and critical infrastructure, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
Based on OCD data, three died in Davao Occidental, 10 in General Santos City, two in Tupi, South Cotabato, and 17 were confirmed dead in landslides in Sarangani.
Most victims were hit by collapsing structures, debris, and landslides. Of the 17 landslide victims, 13 were from Glan and four from Malapatan, according to Sarangani PDRRMO head Rene Punzalan.
There were also 234 injured and 12 missing, although the OCD said reports are still being verified.
More than 10,000 families from Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, and other affected areas have been evacuated as a precaution.
According to Phivolcs, the earthquake that hit the coast of Maitim, Sarangani at around 7:37 a.m. was caused by the movement of the Cotabato trench, where the fault line split in the Celebes Sea and crossed the southwestern coast of Mindanao, raising a tsunami alert.
The PNP chief has ordered a heightened alert for all police units in Mindanao, as well as assistance in response operations and guarding critical infrastructure.
Meanwhile, 17 flights were canceled after the temporary suspension of operations at General Santos Airport following the strong earthquake in Mindanao.
The Supreme Court has also suspended court operations in areas affected by the earthquake.
Search, rescue, and retrieval operations continue in the affected areas.
General Santos Airport
General Santos Airport, also known as Tambler Airport, is a key domestic gateway in the Philippines, serving the city of General Santos and the surrounding Soccsksargen region. Originally built as a small airstrip, it was later expanded and modernized, with a new passenger terminal inaugurated in 2017 to accommodate growing air traffic. The airport is named after the city’s founder, General Paulino Santos, and plays a vital role in connecting the region to major hubs like Manila and Cebu.
General Santos Airport
General Santos Airport, also known as Tambler Airport, is located in General Santos City, Philippines. It was originally built as a small domestic airfield and has since expanded to accommodate larger aircraft, serving as a key gateway to the Soccsksargen region. The airport plays a vital role in connecting the city, known for its tuna industry and agricultural exports, to major domestic hubs like Manila and Cebu.
General Santos Airport
General Santos Airport, also known as Tambler Airport, is a major domestic airport serving General Santos City in the Philippines. Originally built as a small airstrip in the 1930s, it was expanded and modernized to accommodate larger aircraft, playing a key role in the region’s economic growth as a hub for agriculture and trade. The airport is named after the city’s founder, General Paulino Santos, and continues to connect Mindanao to other parts of the country.
General Santos Airport
General Santos Airport, also known as General Santos International Airport, is located in the Philippines and serves the city of General Santos and the surrounding region. It was originally built as a domestic airport but was later upgraded to international status, though it currently handles
General Santos Airport
General Santos Airport, also known as Tambler Airport, is a major gateway to the city of General Santos in the Philippines. Originally built as a small airstrip, it has undergone significant expansions and upgrades, including the construction of a new terminal in the 2010s to accommodate growing passenger traffic. Today, it serves as a key hub for trade and tourism in the Soccsksargen region, connecting the area to major cities like Manila and Cebu.
Tambler Airport
Tambler Airport, also known as General Santos International Airport, is located in General Santos City, Philippines. Originally a small domestic airfield, it was expanded and modernized to serve as a key gateway for the Soccsksargen region. The airport plays a vital role in connecting the area to major cities like Manila and Cebu, supporting local trade and tourism.
Cotabato trench
The Cotabato Trench is a deep oceanic trench located in the Celebes Sea, off the southern coast of Mindanao in the Philippines. It is a significant geological feature formed by the subduction of the Sunda Plate beneath the Philippine Mobile Belt, making it part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and a source of seismic activity in the region. Historically, its remote location has limited human exploration, but it plays a crucial role in understanding the tectonic processes that shape the Philippine archipelago.
Celebes Sea
The Celebes Sea is a large, deep sea located between the Philippines and Indonesia, known for its rich marine biodiversity and deep ocean basins. Historically, it served as a crucial waterway for regional trade and migration, connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The sea’s strategic importance also made it a contested area during World War II and later periods of geopolitical tension.
