Death toll from earthquake in S Philippines rises to 45

According to the country’s Office of Civil Defense, 630 people were injured, while 17 people remain missing, ABS-CBN News reported.

The earthquake struck off the southern coast of Mindanao Island on Monday morning. Local authorities reported damage to 2,500 homes, 460 of which were completely destroyed. A state of emergency has been declared in the city of General Santos.

More than 145,000 residents of the Philippine region have been affected by the disaster. 

MNA