Disaster drills credited with preventing higher deathtoll in powerful Philippines quake

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Sarangani province on Monday, leaving 55 dead, 31 missing, about 1,120 injured, and more than 45,000 displaced. Philippine officials credited years of disaster-preparedness drills for preventing a higher casualty toll. The quake hit at 7:37 am local time, before work and classes. Some buildings collapsed that should have withstood the quake if building codes were followed, according to Teresito Bacolcol of PHIVOLCS.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Sarangani province on Monday, leaving 55 dead, 31 missing, about 1,120 injured, and more than 45,000 displaced. Philippine officials credited years of disaster-preparedness drills for preventing a higher casualty toll. The quake hit at 7:37 am local time, before work and classes. Some buildings collapsed that should have withstood the quake if building codes were followed, according to Teresito Bacolcol of PHIVOLCS.

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Sarangani province on Monday, leaving 55 dead, 31 missing, about 1,120 injured, and more than 45,000 displaced. Philippine officials credited years of disaster-preparedness drills for preventing a higher casualty toll. The quake hit at 7:37 am local time, before work and classes. Some buildings collapsed that should have withstood the quake if building codes were followed, according to Teresito Bacolcol of PHIVOLCS.

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