FIVE PEOPLE have been confirmed dead while two are missing in the aftermath of the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that struck central Mindanao on Oct. 29, according to the Oct. 30 update from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Among those who died were a seven-year old boy who was killed in a rockslide in Arakan, Cotabato and a 66-year old man hit by falling debris in Koronadal City, South Cotabato. Two other casualties, a 22-year old male and 23-year old female were also from Cotabato. One death was reported in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, a 15-year old boy who was hit by a collapsed wall at the Kasuga National High School. Search and rescue operations were ongoing for the two missing following a landslide in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur.

INFRA DAMAGE
Meanwhile, there were 394 people reported injured, mostly in Cotabato, with the earthquake’s epicenter located in the province’s Tulunan municipality. Aftershocks as strong as magnitude five continued to be recorded by state agency Phivolcs as of Oct. 30. The number of displaced families, including those from the 6.4 earthquake last Oct. 16 in the same area, was 7,303 consisting of over 35,000 individuals. On infrastructure, 94 schools, 11 health facilities, seven other public structures and 20 commercial establishments have been damaged in the regions of Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro. Damage assessment and relief operations are continuing, according to NDRRMC.

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