Death Toll From Powerful Philippines Earthquake Climbs to 45

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck southern Philippines has risen to 45, while hundreds more people remain injured and rescue teams continue searching for missing residents.

According to authorities, at least 630 people have been injured and 17 others are still unaccounted for following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao, the country's second-most populous island.

Emergency workers continued search and rescue operations on Tuesday, inspecting damaged structures to ensure that no survivors remained trapped beneath debris.

The strong quake caused extensive destruction across several provinces, affecting homes, public facilities and key infrastructure.

Among the hardest-hit areas was the bustling coastal city of General Santos, home to more than 700,000 residents. Initial government assessments showed that approximately 2,500 houses suffered damage, along with 117 government buildings and public facilities across affected regions.

Authorities are continuing to assess the full scale of the destruction as emergency crews work to restore services and provide assistance to displaced families.

Search and rescue teams have been deployed to damaged areas to locate missing individuals and ensure no one remains trapped inside collapsed or weakened buildings.

Officials said emergency personnel have been carrying out inspections while coordinating with local authorities and disaster response agencies. Medical teams are also treating the injured and providing support to affected communities.

The number of casualties could change as assessments continue and additional information becomes available from remote areas.

General Santos International Airport remained closed for a second consecutive day following damage caused by the earthquake.

The closure resulted in the cancellation of 63 domestic flights, although humanitarian and relief flights have been allowed to operate to support emergency response efforts.

Transport disruptions have complicated the delivery of aid and affected thousands of travelers, while authorities work to restore airport operations safely.

Mindanao is the second-largest and second-most populous island in the Philippines and has experienced several significant earthquakes in recent years due to the country's location along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world's most seismically active regions.

Large earthquakes frequently trigger concerns over building safety, infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness. Government agencies have begun conducting damage assessments while relief operations continue across affected communities.

With rescue efforts still underway and thousands of residents dealing with damaged homes and disrupted services, authorities are expected to focus on recovery operations and rebuilding efforts in the days ahead.

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