NDRRMC: Mindanao earthquake left 81 dead, 31 missing

The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck off Maasim, Sarangani earlier this month has climbed to 81, while 31 people are still missing, according to the latest situational report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC said the earthquake has so far affected 382,269 families, or 1,633,161 individuals, across 620 barangays in Regions IX, XI, XII, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). A total of 1,315 people were also reported injured, although most of the reported casualties are still undergoing validation.

As of Friday morning, 86,919 individuals remain displaced, including 23,568 people from 5,496 families staying in 63 evacuation centers. Another 63,351 individuals are taking temporary shelter with relatives or friends.

The earthquake also left widespread destruction, damaging 87,058 houses, including 15,429 that were totally destroyed and 71,629 that sustained partial damage.

Damage to infrastructure has reached P1.356 billion, affecting 912 infrastructure facilities in the affected regions, according to the NDRRMC.

The agency also reported that 127 road sections and 47 bridges were affected by the quake, with 15 roads and eight bridges remaining impassable.

State seismologists have recorded 10,109 aftershocks since the June 8 earthquake, including 106 that were felt. The strongest aftershock measured magnitude 6.4.

A total of 18 cities and municipalities remain under a state of calamity due to the earthquake’s impact. Government assistance extended to affected families has reached P470.03 million, while aid provided to local government units and regional agencies has totaled P8.58 million, the NDRRMC said. — RSJ, GMA News