Daijiworld Media Network – Manila
Manila, Jun 10: The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the southern Philippines earlier this week has risen to 46 after rescuers recovered the body of a supermarket employee from the rubble of a collapsed building on Wednesday.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday, caused widespread destruction, triggering landslides, damaging buildings and prompting tsunami warnings across parts of the southern island.
Rescue teams recovered the body of 39-year-old Joey Deluvio from the debris of a collapsed supermarket in General Santos City, where recovery operations have continued despite the risk of aftershocks.
According to local rescuer Michelle Chua, life-detection equipment had earlier picked up what appeared to be a weak pulse beneath the rubble, raising hopes that survivors might still be trapped.
However, rescuers later discovered Deluvio's body pinned between two concrete beams.
"When they got to the body, there were no signs of life," Chua said.
The national disaster management agency raised the official death toll to 45 on Wednesday, while the number of missing persons increased sharply from four to 17.
Civil defence authorities clarified that Deluvio's death had not yet been included in the latest official tally, effectively bringing the number of fatalities to 46.
Most of the newly reported deaths were recorded in Davao Occidental province, where several victims were killed in landslides and collapsing structures triggered by the earthquake.
Civil defence official Rafaelito Alejandro said rescue and relief operations were continuing in affected areas as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage.
The powerful quake has displaced thousands of residents and damaged infrastructure across parts of Mindanao, with emergency teams working to reach remote communities affected by landslides and blocked roads.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as aftershocks continue to be felt across the region.