Philippines Quake Death Toll Rises to 46, Buildings Collapse and Landslides Triggered

Earthquake Off Mindanao Coast Claims 46 Lives

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday, triggering widespread destruction and prompting tsunami warnings across southern Philippines.

The disaster claimed at least 46 lives, with General Santos City being a primary focus for rescue operations due to its supermarket collapse.

Joey Deluvio, aged 39, was among those pulled from debris in the supermarket, though initial life-detecting efforts found no signs of life before his body was discovered pinned between beams.

The national disaster agency reported 45 fatalities and 17 missing individuals as of Wednesday, with most of the latter victims succumbing to landslides or collapsing structures.