The death toll from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani and other parts of Mindanao has climbed to 47, as authorities continue to search for 31 people still missing days after the powerful tremor.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Thursday that there are two additional fatalities, both from Sarangani, raising the province’s death toll to 20.
OCD deputy administrator for administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said South Cotabato has recorded 15 deaths, while Davao Occidental has 11 and Davao del Sur has one.
The number of missing persons also rose to 31, with 13 each reported in Sarangani and Davao Occidental, and five in South Cotabato.
Authorities also recorded 709 injured individuals across several affected provinces.
South Cotabato logged the highest number of injured residents with 355, followed by Sarangani with 174 and Cotabato with 102. Davao Oriental recorded 41 injured, Sultan Kudarat had 16, Davao Occidental had 14, and Davao del Norte had seven.
The rising casualties reflect the continuing impact of the strong quake on families and communities across Mindanao, where rescue, retrieval, and relief operations remain underway.
Officials said authorities are still validating reports from the ground as disaster response teams continue to assess damage, assist affected residents, and search for those who remain unaccounted for.