Mindanao earthquake: At least 19 dead, 12 missing

MANILA, Philippines – At least 19 people died after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake rocked the coast off Sarangani in Mindanao on Monday, June 8, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC said in a report that 16 of the deaths were recorded in Soccksargen and 3 in Davao Region.

At least 134 people were injured — 129 in Soccksargen and 5 in Davao Region — while 12 were missing, all in Soccksargen.

The NDRRMC said these figures were still being validated.

Earlier on Monday, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Junie Castillo said local authorities were assessing damage to key infrastructure such as the General Santos Airport.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines earlier suspended operations at the airport pending an assessment of its equipment and facilities, but it was reopened later to accommodate landing and takeoff operations for government, military, and humanitarian flights.

CAAP said a notice to airmen will remain in effect until Thursday, June 11, at 6 pm.

CAAP earlier said that 17 flights to and from General Santos were canceled so far. The agency is also awaiting the official damage report on the airport’s equipment and facilities. – With reports from Iya Gozum/Rappler.com