Rescue efforts in the "ring of fire"

Philippine rescue teams are continuing their efforts to search for people who may still be trapped in collapsed or severely damaged buildings after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern island of Mindanao on June 8.

Philippine rescue workers at the scene. Photo: RNZ

According to the Philippine News Agency (PIA), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) issued a warning on the morning of June 10th about a 5.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred at a depth of 10 km, with its epicenter located 11 km northwest of the Sarangani coast. The warning was issued amidst a race against time by rescue teams in many areas to find more victims or survivors from the June 8th earthquake. Rescue efforts are proceeding urgently under conditions where aftershocks are still being recorded, and many people may still be trapped in the rubble. Personnel are also simultaneously searching for drowning victims and missing persons.

Philippine officials estimate that the earthquake left approximately 20,000 people homeless or displaced, seeking temporary shelter in emergency centers; around 2,000 homes and 117 public buildings and facilities were damaged in various locations. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. dispatched senior officials to the affected areas to direct rescue efforts, assess infrastructure damage, and assist residents in recovery.

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In particular, authorities emphasized the need to inspect the safety of approximately 6,000 schools before allowing students to return to class, due to concerns that structures with cracks and subsidence may not withstand further aftershocks. Schools were instructed to ensure the safety of teachers and students and to plan for a new school schedule while continuing the assessment of building safety. According to the Philippine Department of Education , the earthquake occurred on the first day of the new school year in the Philippines after a two-month break, injuring many students who were gathered for the morning flag ceremony. The incident affected more than 8,600 schools, disrupting the learning of over 4 million students and more than 150,000 teachers and school staff.

Warnings remain in place for several structures at risk of collapse in subsequent aftershocks. On June 9, a geological survey report indicated more than 10 aftershocks had been recorded since the June 8 earthquake, some exceeding magnitude 5. The Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways stated that property damage from the earthquake has reached 1 billion pesos (approximately US$16.2 million) in the port city of General Santos, which has a population of over 700,000. According to civil aviation authorities, landing and takeoff operations at General Santos International Airport are currently limited to government , military, and humanitarian flights until 6 PM on June 11.

The earthquake simultaneously triggered a tsunami warning in several coastal provinces of the country, which, although lifted a few hours later, still caused concern. The Indonesian Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) warned of rising sea levels in the Sangihe and Talaud archipelagoes, while other areas in North Sulawesi and North Maluku also experienced unusual sea level fluctuations. BMKG officially lifted the tsunami warning when monitoring data showed sea levels returning to normal and no longer posing a dangerous tsunami risk. However, the agency still advised residents to be vigilant for possible aftershocks. Earlier, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also lifted a widespread tsunami warning along the Pacific coast, from the Kanto region to Okinawa and the Amami Islands, due to the earthquake near the Philippines, with an initial predicted tsunami height of approximately 1 meter.

Currently, efforts to stabilize the situation and evacuate residents are also facing many challenges, as the Philippine Department of Energy reports that approximately 864,000 households are without electricity. Regarding transportation and daily life, some coastal areas have implemented access restrictions or closed beaches, parking lots, and near-shore facilities to ensure safety.

This was the strongest earthquake in the Philippines since 1976. The island nation lies entirely within the Pacific "Ring of Fire," one of the most geologically and volcanically active regions in the world . Due to this geographical location, they frequently face natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, and related disasters.

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According to Nhandan.vn

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/no-luc-cuu-ho-o-vanh-dai-lua--a488711.html