A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao in the southern Philippines, sending pupils at a school in Digos into panic as they screamed during the shaking.
One outdoor structure at the school collapsed in the quake, but the school said no one was injured. In a Facebook statement, it thanked staff and pupils for “staying calm and orderly throughout the situation”.
Wider Impact Across the Philippines
The school damage was part of a much larger disaster unfolding across the country. At least 32 deaths have been reported elsewhere in the Philippines, though casualty numbers still need to be verified by the national disaster agency.
The agency is responsible for tabulating and verifying reports from various local sources as the impact of the quake continues to be assessed.
Aftershocks Continue
More than 130 aftershocks were recorded after the initial quake, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.7.
The continuing tremors underline how unsettled the region remains after the offshore earthquake struck Mindanao.
