A 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Cebu Island in the central Philippines late Tuesday has claimed 69 lives, with authorities warning that the toll may rise as rescue operations continue. The shallow quake, with a depth of just 10 kilometers, caused widespread destruction, collapsing homes, damaging infrastructure, and cutting power and water supplies in several towns.
The national disaster agency initially reported around 60 deaths, with at least 150 people injured. Jane Abapo of the regional Civil Defense office noted that the latest fatality count, compiled from provincial reports, is still under validation. Hospitals in Cebu Province, particularly in Bogo City near the epicenter, are overwhelmed, with many survivors treated in makeshift facilities due to strained hospital capacity, according to Civil Defence official Raffy Alejandro.
In San Remigio municipality, Mayor Mariano Martinez confirmed at least 11 deaths, including children as young as 12, and warned that the toll could increase as rescue teams search for casualties. Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes reported that some victims died when a basketball complex collapsed during a game. She appealed for urgent aid, citing heavy rainfall, power outages, and disrupted water supplies exacerbating conditions for survivors.
The Philippine Coast Guard has deployed a vessel carrying medical personnel to northern Cebu, while President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., speaking from Masbate recently hit by Super Typhoon Ragasa promised swift government aid. “We are assessing the damage and needs. Assistance is on the way,” he said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported nearly 800 aftershocks, the strongest at magnitude 6. Tremors were felt as far as Zamboanga del Norte, over 300 kilometers away. Local media captured scenes of residents fleeing as historic churches and homes crumbled. In Pilar town, survivor Archel Coraza described the terror of evacuating his family as their house shook violently.
Landslides and collapsed structures have rendered many roads in northern Cebu impassable, hampering relief efforts. Despite the chaos, Mactan-Cebu International Airport remains operational. The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes, with a 6.7-magnitude quake in 2023 killing eight.
