Deadly quake strikes Philippines on first day of school year
Deadly Quake Hits Mindanao on School Year’s First Day
Deadly quake strikes Philippines on first – A severe earthquake devastated the southern Philippine island of Mindanao on Monday, coinciding with the return of millions of students to school after summer break.
Casualties and Damage
At least 19 lives were lost, with significant destruction reported to hospitals, residential areas, and educational institutions. The 7.8 magnitude tremor occurred at 7:37 am local time (7:37 pm Sunday in New York), approximately 32 kilometers offshore west of Maasim in Sarangani province, according to the UN relief coordination office, OCHA.
The safety of learners and teachers must remain the top priority,” stated the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), emphasizing preparedness for emergency supplies and cash aid.
Tsunami Alerts and Evacuations
The quake prompted tsunami warnings in several regions of the Philippines and adjacent nations, leading to coastal evacuations. These alerts were later rescinded as assessments progressed.
Government Response and Relief Efforts
Philippine authorities activated national disaster teams and the humanitarian inter-agency coordinating mechanism, placing agencies on “red alert.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed immediate action, while rescue operations continued throughout the day.
Disaster management, health, education, and public works teams were dispatched to affected zones. Mobile units, including field kitchens and command centers, were mobilized to assist displaced families.
Impact on Education
Over 3.2 million students faced disruptions, with classes suspended in more than 6,200 schools pending safety checks. Initial reports highlighted injuries among learners and structural damage to educational facilities.
UNICEF expressed concern over the psychological toll on children from the quake and its aftershocks, urging swift action to mitigate long-term effects.
Humanitarian Coordination
Humanitarian groups are conducting urgent assessments to address needs. An ad hoc meeting of the Humanitarian Country Team is planned for Tuesday to evaluate the earthquake’s full impact.
Meanwhile, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is deploying staff and equipment to set up temporary storage for relief supplies. The Philippine Red Cross and other partners have also begun mobilizing response teams.
Power outages and communication blackouts were reported in multiple regions, with damaged infrastructure complicating access to remote communities. Over 138 aftershocks, ranging from 1.3 to 6.7 on the Richter scale, were documented following the initial quake.