Key facts
- A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Sarangani province in the southern Philippines on Monday.
- The quake resulted in 55 deaths, 31 missing persons, and approximately 1,120 injuries.
- More than 45,000 people were displaced, and over 12,600 houses were damaged.
- Officials credited years of disaster preparedness drills with helping to prevent a higher casualty toll.
- The Philippines is located on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' making it prone to earthquakes.
Years of disaster preparedness drills in the Philippines helped mitigate casualties when a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Sarangani province, officials reported Friday.
The offshore quake, one of the strongest in 50 years, resulted in 55 deaths, 31 missing individuals, and approximately 1,120 injuries. Over 45,000 people were displaced, with about half still in emergency shelters, as the tremor damaged more than 12,600 houses.
Social media videos captured chaotic scenes, including students reacting to the shaking during a school flag-raising ceremony. Teachers reportedly instructed students to remain calm and seated, a measure that contributed to preventing injuries at one school.
Officials from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the Office of Civil Defense highlighted that public education on earthquake response and regular drills proved effective. However, concerns were raised regarding the structural integrity of some buildings that collapsed, suggesting potential non-compliance with building codes.