Race Against Time as Philippines Earthquake Death Toll Climbs to 37

Rescue teams in the Philippines continued a frantic search for survivors on Tuesday after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake devastated parts of the country’s southern region, leaving at least 37 people dead and hundreds injured.

Authorities said the offshore quake struck near Sarangani province on the island of Mindanao, causing widespread destruction across several communities. General Santos City, home to nearly 720,000 residents, emerged as one of the worst-hit areas, with multiple buildings collapsing and critical infrastructure sustaining severe damage. Rescue workers combed through the rubble of a commercial structure where several people were believed to be trapped.

Officials reported that two individuals had been rescued alive from the debris, while another victim was found dead. Search operations remained challenging as aftershocks continued to rattle the region, forcing emergency personnel to proceed cautiously. Civil defence authorities warned that unstable structures and damaged roads were complicating efforts to reach affected communities.

The disaster also triggered landslides in mountainous areas of Sarangani, contributing significantly to the death toll. Some remote villages remained inaccessible by road, prompting authorities to deploy helicopters for relief and rescue missions.

Thousands of homes, schools and government buildings have reportedly been damaged. Public schools in several provinces remained closed as engineers assessed the structural safety of educational institutions. Power outages and disruptions to water supply further hampered relief operations.

Residents recounted scenes of panic as buildings shook violently and people rushed outdoors seeking safety. In one school, students attending their first day of classes after the summer break were forced to evacuate during a flag-raising ceremony. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured affected communities that the national government would provide full assistance. Emergency agencies have been mobilised as the country confronts one of its deadliest earthquakes in recent years.