GENERAL SANTOS, June 12: Philippine officials on Friday credited years of disaster-preparedness drills with helping prevent a higher death toll when a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Sarangani province on Monday.
The quake killed 55 people, left 31 missing, injured around 1,120 and displaced more than 45,000 residents, many of whom remain in emergency shelters.
Authorities said regular earthquake and evacuation drills in schools and communities helped people respond calmly and avoid panic-driven stampedes.
Officials also noted that the quake struck shortly before classes and work began, reducing the number of people inside buildings when the shaking started. (AP)
