Magnitude 7.8 Mindanao earthquake death toll now 37 —OCD

The reported death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck offshore Sarangani in Mindanao on Monday has increased to 37, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Tuesday.

In an update, OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said that as of 6 a.m., 33 deaths were reported in Soccsksargen (18 in Sarangani, 12 in General Santos City, and 3 in South Cotabato). Four deaths meanwhile were reported in Davao Region.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita on Tuesday, OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said most of those who died were hit by falling debris.

A total of 456 persons were injured and four individuals remained missing.

The earthquake has affected 17,689 families or 77,186 individuals across affected areas in Mindanao.

Search, rescue, and retrieval operations remain focused on General Santos City and Sarangani, among the hardest-hit areas, according to Castillo.

“Kung tutok doon sa nangyari kasi ang tinitingnan natin ngayon, General Santos City and then 'yung Sarangani, so dito sa Region 12. So doon ang tutok ng ating mga search, rescue, and retrievals,” he said.

(In terms of focus, what we are looking at now is General Santos City and then Sarangani, so here in Region 12. So that is where our search, rescue, and retrievals are focused.)

General Santos City was already placed under a state of calamity.

“Pero ganu'n pa man, some other areas also ay nandoon din 'yung ating mga responders,” Castillo added.

(But even so, our responders are also present in some other areas.)

Responders have been deployed to assist in ongoing operations.

Based on initial assessments, nine bridges and 19 roads were damaged. The OCD also estimated infrastructure damage at more than P900 million based on initial inspections.

Authorities recorded 1,889 damaged houses, of which, around 1,500 were totally destroyed.

Castillo said no areas have so far been officially declared isolated despite damage to roads and bridges, adding that relief supplies had already been prepositioned in various locations.

Generators and fuel were already sent to hospitals and other critical facilities affected by power outages.

General Santos International Airport sustained damage from the earthquake, prompting the cancellation or rerouting of flights. Military aircraft, government and humanitarian flights however were allowed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines to use the General Santos Airport upon the order of the Department of Transportation.

READ: LIST: Canceled flights on June 9 and 10, 2026 due to the Mindanao earthquake

Many residents have remained in open spaces amid continuing aftershocks and concerns over the structural integrity of their homes.

The government is considering establishing temporary shelters and tent cities to accommodate displaced residents while damage assessments and recovery efforts continue.

Meanwhile, classes were suspended in some areas on Tuesday, June 9, due to the effects of the strong earthquake. —KG, GMA News