Vientiane: The Philippine Office of Civil Defence has reported that the death toll from the 6.9-magnitude offshore earthquake that struck the country’s central region on the evening of September 30 has risen to 72. Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work diligently to address the aftermath of the disaster.

According to Lao News Agency, an additional 294 individuals have sustained injuries due to the earthquake. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, search and rescue teams are actively engaged in efforts following the collapse of a multi-storey building at an Islamic boarding school in East Java province. The Indonesian national disaster management agency BNPB has indicated that approximately 59 people remain trapped under the debris.

The building collapse in Indonesia happened on the afternoon of September 29 when students were convening for prayers, resulting in at least six fatalities and injuring numerous others. The rescue efforts at the site are encountering significant challenges, particularly after a subsequent 6.5-magnitude earthquake in Sumenep on October 1 compounded the situation by compacting the debris, thereby reducing the available survival spaces for those trapped. Experts have initially suggested that the collapse was likely due to weak foundations that were unable to support the added load from the expanded upper structure.