Mindanao earthquakes death toll climbs to 16

MANILA, Philippines — The death toll from the series of powerful earthquakes that pounded Tulunan, Cotabato and other parts of Mindanao this week has risen to 16,  the National Disaster Risk Reduction Risk and Management Council (NDRRMC) announced on Friday.

Seven casualties were listed and confirmed in Soccsksargen region and three from the Davao region after last Tuesday’s magnitude 6.6 earthquake.

Six fatalities were confirmed following last Thursday’s magnitude 6.5 earthquake.

READ: Magnitude 6.6 earthquake jolts parts of Mindanao

READ:Powerful earthquake hammers Cotabato, other parts of Mindanao anew
 

A total of 403 persons were injured while two from the Davao region remain missing as of posting time, the NDRRMC said.

The disaster agency said 6,009 families or 30,045 individuals were displaced by the big earthquakes that affected 72 villages in the Davao and Soccsksargen regions.

NDRRMC said 2,552 families or 12,760 persons are temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers, while 1,370 families or 6,850 persons are housed in other relief facilities.

A total of 3,220 structures in  affected areas were also damaged.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is extending assistance in disaster response, relief and rescue operations, the NDRRMC said.

The Philippine Coast Guard in Manila will deploy 10 of its newly-acquired trucks to deliver 15,000 food packs and 1,500 sleeping tents to quake-hit areas, said PCG spokesperson Capt. Armando Balilo. /gsg