MANILA, Dec, 6,2023 (BSS/Xinhua) - The death toll in the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit the southern Philippine Surigao province last Saturday has climbed to three, the government said Wednesday.

 In a latest report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said one died in a region in the northeastern part of Mindanao island, and two others in the southeastern part of the island.

 The agency said 48 others were injured from the offshore earthquake. The strong quake has affected nearly 530,000 residents of three regions, it added.

 The 7.4-magnitude quake hit Saturday night at a depth of 25 km, about 30 km northeast of Hinatuan town in Surigao del Sur province.

 More than 3,330 aftershocks had occurred since the tremor struck, dozens with a magnitude of over five and six. Strong aftershocks continue to rock the region.

 The archipelagic Philippines has frequent seismic activities due to its location along the Pacific "Ring of Fire."

 Last month, a 6.8-magnitude offshore earthquake, hitting about 34 km northwest of Sarangani town with a depth of 72 km, led to at least nine deaths, according to Philippine authorities.