Rescuers search for signs of life in collapsed Davao shopping center after quake

Rescuers from Davao Central 911 used special equipment to detect signs of life at a collapsed commercial center in Padada, Davao del Sur following a major earthquake that hit Mindanao on Sunday, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

The Southern Trade Shopping Center collapsed following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on Sunday afternoon.

LOOK: The rescuers are currently using an equipment to detect signs of life in the collapsed building here in Padada, Davao del Sur. @gmanews @UnangHirit @dzbb pic.twitter.com/KzOn4VTtpc

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) December 15, 2019

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, six were injured while five were presumed missing at the Southern Trade Shopping Center based on information from relatives.

Davao del Sur Governor Douglas Cagas told GMA News' Unang Balita in an interview on Monday that a body has already been retrieved from the establishment. Search operations continue for five people still presumed missing.

The Bureau of Fire Protection said 23 were immediately rescued at the site.

Authorities had a hard time conducting search and retrieval operations at the site because of the rains that fell on Sunday night and the aftershocks that would come one after the other.

Ayon sa Incident Command ng Padada, Davao Del Sur, ramdam dito ng aftershocks kada 3-5 minuto mula 7pm - 10pm kagabi. Umuulan din kagabi kaya hindi naging madali ang pagtutuloy sa retrieval operations.@gmanews @UnangHirit @dzbb pic.twitter.com/dvwhqYzmrm

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) December 15, 2019

From 12 a.m. Monday, at least 10 aftershocks have already been felt at the site before 6 a.m.

Padada, Davao del Sur:
Mayroon daw aparato ang mga rescuer para tumulong sa paghahanap kung may buhay sa gumuhong gusali. Patuloy pa ring kinukumpirma kung may natrap sa loob. @gmanews @dzbb @UnangHirit pic.twitter.com/EpIfXyjxqG

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) December 15, 2019

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday said residents in Davao del Sur may still expect aftershocks, according to a separate report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita.

As of 5 a.m. Monday, PHIVOLCS has already recorded 457 aftershocks. Of this number, 130 were plotted or located and 41 were felt.

PHIVOLCS director Renato Solidum also said the Tangbulan Fault that runs along Davao del Sur may have moved, causing Sunday's earthquake.

The first and second floors of the Southern Trade Shopping Center have been driven to the ground by the earthquake, and the third floor now sits at road level.

Davao Central 911 could not give conclusive information yet regarding the scan they are conducting for signs of life at the site. However, they recommended that rescuers start retrieval operations.

On Monday, rescuers used heavy equipment to search the debris.

WATCH: Kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang retrieval operations dito sa Southern Building, Padada, Davao Del Sur. Patuloy na inaalam kung may nawawala sa guho. Wala pang nakukumpirmang nasawi, di katulad nang mga naunang ulat. 34 ang sugatan sa buong Padada@gmanews @UnangHirit @dzbb pic.twitter.com/wDerXTCbUF

— Darlene Cay (@DarleneCay) December 15, 2019

The focus of retrieval operations is the exit area nearest the payment counters since there may have been people who ran toward the exit after the ground first shook.

Meanwhile, a water reservoir and another commercial establishment collapsed in Padada.

Four workers were injured when the water reservoir collapsed.

Classes on Monday have been canceled in all levels in public and private schools in Davao City, General Santos City and Davao del Sur. —KG, GMA News