Central Philippines Grapples With Aftermath of 6.9 Magnitude Quake
A powerful magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines on Tuesday night, killing at least 69 people and injuring over 147, according to the Philippines' Office of Civil Defense (OCD). The quake, which occurred at a depth of 5 kilometers near Bogo city, triggered hundreds of aftershocks and prompted urgent rescue operations across affected communities.
Communities Buried Under Debris
OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro confirmed that most victims perished due to collapsing structures, with Bogo city – the epicenter – reporting 30 fatalities. Nearby towns Medellin, San Remigio, Tabogon, Sogod, and Tabuelan accounted for the remaining deaths. Emergency teams are racing against time to locate survivors trapped under rubble as authorities warn the death toll may rise.
State of Calamity Declared
Cebu province has activated a state of calamity, unlocking emergency funds for relief efforts and price controls on essential goods. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology revised the quake’s magnitude from 6.7 to 6.9, noting tremors were felt across the central and southern Philippines. Over 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial quake, complicating recovery in a region already prone to seismic activity as part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire."
Authorities urge caution as assessments continue, with Alejandro emphasizing: "We are waiting for our assessment team to complete their rapid evaluation." The disaster highlights vulnerabilities in one of Asia’s most geologically active zones, drawing global attention to disaster preparedness challenges.
