President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has sent a message of condolence to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following the powerful earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao on 8 June.
In his message, President Muizzu expressed profound sorrow over the disaster, which resulted in the loss of lives and injuries to many people.
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Maldives, the President conveyed his deepest condolences to President Marcos, the government and the people of the Philippines. He also extended heartfelt sympathies to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the earthquake.
Concluding his message, President Muizzu expressed his sincere wishes for the success of ongoing recovery and relief efforts in the affected areas.
According to Philippine authorities, at least 37 people were killed after a powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck about 20 kilometres off the coast of Sarangani province in southern Philippines early on 8 June.
The earthquake caused extensive damage in several areas, including General Santos City, where buildings were damaged, walls and roofs collapsed, and power supplies were disrupted.
The quake also triggered tsunami warnings in several countries across the region. Strong tremors were felt throughout Mindanao and as far away as Manado in Indonesia, approximately 420 kilometres from the epicentre.
The disaster comes eight months after a magnitude-6.9 earthquake off the coast of Cebu killed 79 people in the Philippines' deadliest earthquake in more than a decade. Two additional strong earthquakes struck Mindanao two weeks later, including a magnitude-7.4 tremor.