Philippines’ earthquake death toll rises to 37, 32,000 displaced
At least 37 people have been killed, hundreds injured, and about 32,000 displaced by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in the Philippines.
The earthquake hit General Santos City in Mindanao, the Philippines’ main southern island, on Monday, leaving thousands displaced.
Bernardo Alejandro, assistant secretary of the agency supervising disaster response, in an interview with DZMM Radio, said he hopes the death toll does not increase.
“We hope the death toll does not increase further, but we are expecting it to move. Our priority today is search and rescue,” Mr Alejandro said.
About 2,500 houses, 6,000 schools, and 117 government buildings were damaged across provinces in the Philippines, according to a government damage assessment.
The earthquake, rated as the most destructive in the Philippines, also forced the shutdown of the international airport in General Santos City, while about 63 domestic flights were cancelled.
In a statement, the Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the suspension of classes at all levels in affected areas of Mindanao until further notice.
“The safety of our children comes first. DepEd will coordinate with local government units on this,” he said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Kano
Police arrest wanted suspected thug in Kano
Mr Kiyawa said the suspect remained in police custody and was undergoing discreet investigation.
Showbiz
I’m not paedophile; I was framed, Baba Ijesha insists
Baba Ijesha denied being a paedophile, adding that he only got to know the meaning of the word in prison.
NationWide
NDLEA intercepts N900 million worth of opioids in nationwide raids
The consignment, made up of eleven cartons packed in two wooden structures, arrived at the airport’s import shed on Tuesday.
States
Uba Sani donates vehicles to JNI, CAN, religious sects in Kaduna
Mr Sani pointed out that some politicians who foresee defeat are planning to disrupt public peace before, during or after the coming elections.
States
Police repel cattle rustlers’ attack, recover 39 stolen cows in Kaduna
Mr Hassan said the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, commended the gallantry of the operatives and community partnership.
Politics
Lagos CP urges political parties to notify police before campaigns
The commissioner warned that the command would not tolerate any act that could disrupt public peace.
