THREE miners were killed in Pantukan, Davao de Oro, following the magnitude 7.4 and 6.8 earthquakes that struck Manay, Davao Oriental, on Friday, according to the provincial government.
Anecito Aguilar Torrejos, spokesperson of the provincial government, said the victims were at a mining site when the ground gave way, hitting them with falling rocks. Several others were rescued.
“Nasa mining site kasi sila tapos may gumuho na lupa, natamaan po sila ng malalaki na bato po,” Torrejos said in a radio interview on Sunday, adding that the bodies of the victims have been recovered and brought to Poblacion Kingking in Pantukan.
The local government has ordered the suspension of all mining operations in Davao de Oro pending an assessment by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) is also determining the number of affected miners, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has pledged assistance to the victims and their families.
As of Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the death toll from the quakes has risen to eight.
