A powerful earthquake, one of the strongest in 50 years, struck the southern Philippines, killing 55 people and leaving 31 missing. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Philippine officials said Friday that years of disaster-preparedness drills helped prevent a larger casualty toll. The earthquake struck on Monday, June 8, 2026, near General Santos city.
The mayor of a quake-hit southern Philippine town is pleading for air force helicopters to transport food to stave off hunger in places isolated by landslides.
AP photos by Basilio Sepe show collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and displaced residents. In Sarangani province, residents took shelter in a field at a municipal hall.
The Philippine government continues to mobilize emergency services and send aid to affected areas. The exact magnitude of the earthquake has not been released, but it is considered one of the strongest in 50 years.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the missing. Authorities urge citizens to remain cautious and rely on official information sources.