Aftershocks complicate Philippine recovery from quake that killed 45 and displaced thousands

Rescue work slowed by aftershocks

Repeated aftershocks continued to complicate recovery efforts in southern Mindanao on Wednesday, forcing rescuers to pause work at damaged sites while authorities tried to account for the dead, missing and displaced after a major earthquake that struck two days earlier.

The 7.8-magnitude quake hit on Monday, June 8, with General Santos among the hardest-hit areas. The latest Associated Press reporting put the death toll at at least 45, with 17 people still missing and more than 630 injured.

Officials said the strongest tremors were still dangerous enough to pull rescuers back from a partially collapsed grocery in General Santos while crews were searching for possible survivors. More than 2,100 aftershocks had been recorded, including some as strong as magnitude 6.4.

The quake struck in the Philippines' second-most populous region, where emergency shelters remained crowded and damaged buildings were repeatedly evacuated as residents tried to stay away from unstable structures.

Damage across roads, schools and public buildings

The earthquake left a wide trail of destruction across southern Mindanao. AP reported damage to more than 3,100 homes, 29 roads, 11 bridges and more than 100 government buildings.

About 6,000 public schools needed assessment for damage, adding another major task for officials as the country faced the start of the academic year. The quake hit on the first day classes were reopening, turning the school restart into an emergency response for students, parents and teachers.

Families displaced by the quake have been staying in temporary shelters while authorities inspect homes and other structures before allowing people to return. The scale of the damage has raised questions about how quickly daily life can resume in areas hit by the strongest shaking.

Airport restrictions and next steps

General Santos international airport was shut down indefinitely except for government and military flights carrying aid and disaster-response personnel. That restriction is slowing the movement of relief teams and supplies while inspections and repairs continue.

Authorities have linked the quake to movement in the Cotabato Trench, part of the geologic system that makes the Philippines especially vulnerable to major earthquakes. Officials have also warned people not to re-enter damaged buildings because of the ongoing aftershock risk.

Earlier reports showed how quickly the casualty figures were still changing. The Guardian reported on Tuesday that at least 37 people had died, with 479 injured, four missing and about 20,690 displaced. By Wednesday, AP said the toll had risen to at least 45 dead and more than 25,000 displaced.

Search and recovery teams are expected to keep working when conditions allow, but the next phase depends on whether aftershocks ease and whether inspectors can clear damaged homes, schools, roads, bridges and public buildings for use again.