Mindanao quake. Photo courtesy of Jurel Bayang/PNA.
The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck southern Mindanao on Monday climbed to 45, disaster officials said Wednesday.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council also reported 487 injured and 17 still missing as search, rescue, and relief operations continued in affected areas.
In its latest situation report released to the media at 9 a.m., the NDRRMC said most of the fatalities were recorded in Soccsksargen.
The agency said 33 deaths were reported in Region 12, while 12 others were recorded in the Davao Region.
Authorities said the casualty figures were still being validated as of Tuesday evening and could still change as reports from local disaster offices were checked.
The powerful quake affected 33,596 families, or 149,372 people, across Mindanao and nearby areas.
Damage to homes also continued to rise, with nearly 3,000 houses reported destroyed or partially damaged by the tremor.
Thousands of displaced residents remained in evacuation centers as government teams continued to deliver assistance, assess damage, and search for those still unaccounted for.
