Schoolchildren Run from Collapsing Roof as Ground Shakes in Philippines Quake

Schoolchildren run from collapsing roof as ground – On a day marked by sudden seismic activity, students at a school in Digos, southern Philippines, were caught off guard by a magnitude-7.8 earthquake that rattled the region. The tremors, originating off the coast of Mindanao, sent a cascade of panic through the campus as an outdoor structure collapsed under the force of the quake. Despite the chaos, the school’s Facebook statement confirmed that no one was hurt, praising the community for maintaining composure during the emergency.

“We are grateful to our staff and pupils for staying calm and orderly throughout the situation,” the school shared on its social media page. “No injuries were reported, and we are focusing on ensuring the safety of our students and staff.”

While the Digos incident drew immediate attention, the earthquake’s broader impact was still being assessed. Authorities noted that more than 130 aftershocks followed the initial tremor, with magnitudes ranging from 1.3 to 6.7. These smaller quakes added to the uncertainty, though the exact toll of the disaster was not yet clear. At least 32 deaths were reported in the Philippines, though the national disaster agency is still verifying these numbers through local reports.

Meanwhile, in a different corner of the world, Chinese President Xi Jinping received a lively welcome in Pyongyang during his first visit to the country in seven years. The BBC’s Rajini Vaidyanathan analyzed the significance of the event, highlighting how the encounter unfolded amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The visit also coincided with a dramatic aviation incident: on 12 June 2025, a plane carrying 242 people crashed, leaving only one survivor. The tragedy underscored the fragility of modern transportation systems.

Another notable development emerged from the literary world, as Taiwan Travelogue, the first novel translated from Mandarin Chinese, claimed a prestigious award. This achievement marked a milestone for translated works, drawing attention to the cultural exchange between the Philippines and China. Separately, a North Korean women’s football team made headlines by competing in South Korea, a move that symbolized the first time North Korean athletes had crossed the border in nearly eight years.

Pakistan’s claim of targeting “military and terrorist infrastructure” during a recent strike was met with skepticism from the UN and victims’ families. The agency questioned the accuracy of the assertion, suggesting that the attack may have affected civilian areas. In the same week, a group of climbers ignored warnings and ascended an active volcano, leading to a deadly incident that claimed eleven lives and injured dozens more.

Further afield, a glamping facility in Bogor, West Java, was obliterated by a torrential flood on 4 May. The disaster highlighted the risks posed by extreme weather events to even temporary structures. Back in the Philippines, the national disaster agency continued its efforts to compile data from various local sources, ensuring a precise tally of casualties. The agency’s work was crucial in providing an accurate account of the earthquake’s aftermath.

As the US and Iran’s conflict escalated, global fuel markets faced upheaval. However, China positioned itself to capitalize on the situation by accelerating its transition to electric vehicles. BBC Business Correspondent Laura Bicker explored the economic and political implications of this shift, noting how the country’s strategic investments could solidify its influence in the automotive industry.

In Malaysia’s Sabah state, a massive fire displaced thousands of people, destroying around 1,000 homes. The blaze, which swept through residential areas, forced evacuations and raised concerns about emergency response capabilities. Meanwhile, in South Korea, K-pop stars BTS launched their grandest tour to date, with a planned performance on Saturday expected to draw 260,000 fans. The tour, which began in Seoul on Thursday, showcased their latest album, Arirang, and marked a return to live shows after a four-year hiatus.

Back in Daejon, a separate incident captured national headlines when a two-year-old wolf named Neukgu escaped from a zoo. The event sparked debates about animal safety and the effectiveness of containment measures. Earlier in the week, a bear had injured four people during an attack in a factory compound, prompting authorities to search for the animal within the facility.

Amid these events, the Philippines’ focus remained on the earthquake’s aftermath. The school in Digos, which had been the epicenter of the crisis, served as a reminder of the resilience required during natural disasters. While the initial tremor caused structural damage, the absence of casualties was a relief for the community. The school’s prompt communication via social media also demonstrated the role of technology in crisis management.

As the situation unfolded, media outlets