A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the southern Philippines' Mindanao island earlier this week, raising the death toll to 61, according to a report by GMA News on Saturday. Authorities said rescue operations continue in the worst-hit areas, where landslides and collapsed buildings have trapped people under debris. The Office of Civil Defense confirmed that ongoing aftershocks, unstable structures, and damaged roads are hampering rescue efforts.

The Disaster Response and Monitoring Information Center reported that about 553,000 people have been affected across the Mindanao region. Among them, 9,393 people are staying in evacuation centers, while 54,274 have taken temporary shelter with relatives or friends. Preliminary assessments show that 8,865 houses were completely destroyed and 36,691 partially damaged.

General Santos City and Sarangani province are among the most severely affected areas. Authorities have declared a state of calamity in these regions to expedite relief and rehabilitation operations.