MANILA – The aftermath of a formidable 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rattled the Mindanao region on Friday continues to unfold, with the death toll rising to five and reports of widespread damage in its wake.
The seismic event, originating along the Cotabato trench, proved fatal for a woman in General Santos City, where a section of a shopping mall ceiling crumbled, resulting in her tragic demise. Additionally, 19 individuals suffered shock in the chaotic aftermath.
In General Santos, a couple met a tragic end as they were pinned beneath a collapsing concrete wall. The incident, in which approximately 30 students also experienced breathing difficulties, underscores the gravity of the situation.
Further casualties were reported in the municipality of Glan, Sarangani province, where a person succumbed to a falling steel structure. Authorities dispatched police to investigate a reported landslide in a nearby village, intensifying concerns about the extent of the disaster.
Davao Occidental province witnessed the demise of an elderly man struck by a large rock that rolled downhill near his residence, according to police officer Patrick Laurente.
The seismic upheaval, a consequence of the Earth’s crust movement along the Cotabato trench, underscores the vulnerability of the Philippines to earthquakes. Situated along a seismic and volcanic arc stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin, the nation faces a persistent threat of both mild and severe seismic activities.
As the affected regions grapple with the aftermath of this natural disaster, the resilience of the communities affected by these unforeseen events remains evident. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the need for preparedness and solidarity in the face of such unpredictable seismic occurrences.
By AFP
