Philippines quake death toll climbs to 37, over 30,000 displaced | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

The massive earthquake that jolted the Philippines on Monday morning has claimed at least 37 lives, injured hundreds more, and forced tens of thousands of people to seek shelter.

Rescuers are still trying to reach four people who are missing in southern Mindanao, the area that was hardest hit. On Tuesday, they combed through the rubble of a collapsed supermarket in the city of General Santos for two of them, believed to be trapped underneath.

The quake leveled many buildings across Mindanao Island. Authorities say more than 2,500 houses sustained some level of damage, and over 30,000 people have been forced to seek shelter.

An international airport in General Santos has suspended regular passenger flights. Roads, power grids and communications networks have also been impacted. The Philippine Red Cross says it has sent a support team to the area.

The region is bracing for more potential shaking. The country's seismology research institute says there have been over 1,000 earthquakes since Monday, and there may be more on the way.