India stands in solidarity with Philippines: PM Modi expresses grief over deadly Mindanao earthquake

New Delhi [India], June 9 (HBTV): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed condolences following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines, leaving at least 32 people dead, dozens injured and causing widespread destruction.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, 'Saddened by the loss of lives and destruction caused by today's earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with the people and the Government of the Philippines.'

According to a report by The New York Times, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday at around 7:37 am local time, making it the strongest earthquake to hit the Philippines in 50 years, based on data from the US Geological Survey.

Civil defence officials, as cited in the report, said at least 32 people were killed, dozens were injured and tens of thousands were displaced. Nineteen deaths were reported in Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces, while a landslide triggered by the earthquake killed 13 more people in Glan, Sarangani.

Rodrigo O. Sosmen, a senior official at the national Office of Civil Defense based in General Santos, said the full extent of the damage was still being assessed.

He said, 'We don't have a complete picture of the damage, but there are plenty of structures that are cracked.'

Authorities said about 134 people were injured and nearly 70,000 residents were displaced, while several others remain missing as rescue operations continue.

On Monday, the Philippine News Agency (PNA), citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), reported that Secretary Rex Gatchalian had ordered immediate coordination with local government units. More than 1.1 million family food packs (FFPs) in Mindanao have been made available for distribution to affected families and individuals.

The DSWD's Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) also reported that, as of June 2, around 4.7 million family food packs had been prepositioned nationwide and were available for immediate release during disasters and emergencies.

Gatchalian further noted that the Quick Response Teams (QRTs) of DSWD field offices remain on standby and are continuously monitoring the situation while coordinating with local government units for possible resource augmentation.

He said, 'DSWD is more than ready to provide immediate response by supporting the needs of the affected families in the entire Mindanao. In fact, we have directed all Field Offices to coordinate closely with the LGUs and deploy social workers in designated evacuation centres to work with the local social workers.'

Gatchalian also directed the concerned field offices to deploy mobile command centres, mobile kitchens and other necessary equipment and resources.

(ANI)