- A 6.9 magnitude earthquake kills at least 69 in the central Philippines
- Cebu province suffers the worst damage; thousands displaced
- Roads, bridges, and power lines damaged, slowing rescue efforts
At least 69 people have died and dozens more have been injured after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late Tuesday night.
The worst-hit area was Cebu province, which declared a state of calamity early Wednesday. Thousands of residents spent the night outdoors amid ongoing aftershocks, power outages, and water shortages.
A Cebu resident told the BBC that children were crying around him as families remained on the streets, visibly traumatized by the event.
The disaster comes just over a week after the country was battered by two successive typhoons that left more than a dozen dead.
⚠️ Epicentre and Damage
Most of the fatalities occurred in Bogo City, a small town on one of the Visayas Islands, near the earthquake’s epicentre. Grim scenes showed body bags lining the streets and emergency tents treating hundreds of injured people.
Local authorities described the devastation as severe, and have called for medical volunteers to help overwhelmed hospitals.
Collapsed bridges, damaged roads, and downed power lines are hampering rescue operations and communication with affected communities.
Among the dead were seven residents from a village built to house survivors of Typhoon Haiyan—one of the country’s deadliest storms, which struck in 2013 and killed over 6,000 people.
In San Remigio, an earthquake struck during a basketball game, sending nearly 20 spectators to the hospital, one of whom later died.
⛪ Historic Churches Damaged
Cebu’s archbishop has urged the public to avoid entering churches until they are inspected for structural safety. This warning is especially significant as Cebu is home to many historic Spanish-era churches.
Earlier footage captured the moment a church tower swayed and partially collapsed during the quake.
🌍 Ongoing Threats and Vulnerability
A 4.7 magnitude aftershock hit Bogo again on Wednesday evening, with tremors felt as far as Leyte. No casualties were reported from this event.
The national disaster agency is still verifying data, meaning the death toll may rise.
The Philippines sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, making it especially prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It also lies in the path of frequent Pacific typhoons.
Last month, Tropical Storm Bualoi and Typhoon Ragasa claimed over a dozen lives, displaced hundreds of thousands, and left several people still missing.
