Mindanao quake death toll reaches 37
The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that jolted different parts of Mindanao on Monday, June 8, has climbed to 37.
The Office of Civil Defense gave the latest update on the number of fatalities to DZMM Teleradyo on Tuesday, June 9.
Four of them came from Region 11, while 33 were from Region 12.
The said number may still rise as authorities push through with their search and rescue operations in the coming days.
The quake was felt in different parts of Mindanao at 7:37 a.m. on June 8, the first day of school for public schools and numerous private schools nationwide. PHIVOLCS-DOST initially traced the epicenter to General Santos City, which had a 7-magnitude quake. In an update an hour later, the agency confirmed the epicenter was located in Maasim, Sarangani, with 7.8 magnitude.
According to PHIVOLCS-DOST, it was caused by movement in the Cotabato Trench, which also triggered the destructive Moro Gulf earthquake in 1976.
PHIVOLCS is expecting "thousands of aftershocks" to take place, with the highest magnitude possibly at 6.7.
