A powerful magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines on Tuesday evening, with the death toll rising to at least 69 by Wednesday according to disaster management officials. The quake collapsed buildings and triggered landslides across rural communities, marking one of the deadliest seismic events in the region this year.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the epicenter was near the island of Negros, with tremors felt as far as Manila. Military convoys carrying emergency supplies were seen entering affected areas Wednesday morning, as rescue teams worked to clear debris and reach isolated villages.
"We\u2019re prioritizing search operations while coordinating relief distribution," a regional disaster agency spokesperson told local media. The incident comes amid heightened geological activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the Philippines experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
International aid organizations have begun mobilizing support, while neighboring countries including China and Japan offered technical assistance. Analysts note the disaster could temporarily impact agricultural exports from the region, though major infrastructure appears largely intact.
