Aftershocks complicate recovery efforts after deadly quake in southern Philippines

(10 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS General Santos City, Philippines - 10 June 2026 1. Rescuers leaving collapsed building and going to open area during a strong aftershock, UPSOUND whistle alarm 2. Various of rescuers gathered in open area 3. Woman being attended by medical workers 4. Woman crying after earthquake 5. Journalist interviewing Ressa Mia Tactaquin-Betoya from Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 6. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Ressa Mia Tactaquin-Betoya, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP): "It was a strong aftershock and an alarm was immediately sounded so those inside and under the damaged building can run out for a headcount.” 7. People outside cordoned off, damaged building 8. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Ressa Mia Tactaquin-Betoya, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP): “It was scary because we don’t want our rescuers to be harmed. So the area must be secured before they can go back in.”  ASSOCIATED PRESS Glan Sarangani, Philippines - 10 June 2026 9. Various of vehicle damaged by landslide 10. Various of heavy equipment clearing road blocked by landslide 11. Various of evacuees gathered in makeshift tents 12. Earthquake victim Ronalyn Lumakad Tulin, 39, sitting on open field 13. SOUNDBITE (Tagalog) Ronalyn Lumakad Tulin, earthquake victim: "We are here because all our houses have collapsed and we have to stay here to rest. The gymnasiums are dangerous in case there's another earthquake. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said it might take a month for us to experience more aftershocks, so we will stay here outside where it is safe.” ASSOCIATED PRESS General Santos City, Philippines - 10 June 2026 14. Mother (wearing black hat) of male earthquake victim who died at grocery building collapse, being taken by rescue personnel 15. Wide of heavy machineries at work at collapsed building site 16. Various of coroner vehicle carrying the retrieved body of earthquake victim leaving site STORYLINE: Dozens of rescuers in hard hats scrambled out of a partially collapsed grocery in a southern Philippine city Wednesday as it was rattled by an aftershock from a powerful earthquake that left at least 45 people dead and 17 others missing in the region. A safety officer blew his whistle and others screamed to warn about 30 firefighters and coast guard personnel to dash to safety as concrete debris crashed down from the leaning three-story building in General Santos city. The coastal city, a bustling commercial hub and the country’s tuna capital, was devastated by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Monday and left a trail of destruction across southern Mindanao, the Philippines' second-most populous region. “It was a strong aftershock and an alarm was immediately sounded so those inside and under the damaged building can run out for a headcount,” said Ressa Mia Tactaquin-Betoya from Phillipines' Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP). “It was scary because we don’t want our rescuers to be harmed so the area must be secured before they can go back in,” she told The Associated Press. The earthquake has been followed by more than 2,100 aftershocks, with a few ranging up to 6.4 magnitude — strong enough to cause more casualties and damage, according to Teresito Bacolcol, who heads the Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. It injured at least 630 people and damaged more than 3,100 houses, 29 roads, 11 bridges and more than 100 government buildings. More than 25,000 people remain displaced, many of whom are staying in 45 government-run emergency shelters and still too traumatized to return home, officials said. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...