The number of individuals confirmed missing following the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Mindanao has significantly increased. According to Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, Philippine authorities have confirmed that the missing count has reached 33 individuals as of today. This is nearly double the previous figure of 17 missing persons reported in the past days.
Authorities attribute the rise to residents coming forward to report their relatives missing since the tremor occurred, many believed to be buried under collapsed structures. The number of confirmed injured has also climbed to 688 people.
Search operations for the missing continue, with rescuers remaining optimistic about finding survivors even three days after the devastating quake. Clearing operations are ongoing in collapsed buildings previously identified as having no trapped individuals.
