A magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck central Philippines late Tuesday, killing at least 69 people and trapping others beneath collapsed homes and businesses in Cebu province. The quake, which struck at 10 p.m. local time, caused widespread devastation in Bogo City and neighboring towns, officials confirmed Wednesday.
The epicenter was located 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). Shallow quakes are typically more destructive, and officials warned the death toll could climb further.
Race Against Time to Find Survivors
Search and rescue operations are underway in Bogo City, where about half of the confirmed deaths occurred. Army troops, police, and volunteers equipped with backhoes and sniffer dogs are conducting house-to-house searches.
“We’re still in the golden hour of our search and rescue,” said Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, adding that teams are working despite damaged bridges, blocked roads, and intermittent rain.
Local officials reported landslides in mountain villages, where rescuers are struggling to reach survivors trapped under rocks and mud.
Deaths Reported Across Cebu Towns
Fatalities were also confirmed in Medellin and San Remigio. Among the victims were three coast guard personnel, a firefighter, and a child killed by collapsing walls and falling debris while fleeing a basketball game disrupted by the quake.
“The scale of the damage is immense, and our communities are in shock,” said Bogo City disaster officer Rex Ygot, noting that hospitals are treating dozens of injured residents.
Tsunami Warning Lifted, Aftershocks Continue
Phivolcs briefly issued a tsunami warning for Cebu, Leyte, and Biliran, warning of potential waves up to one meter. The alert was lifted after three hours when no significant waves were recorded.
Still, thousands of residents spent the night outdoors in parks and open fields, too afraid to return home amid over 600 recorded aftershocks.
“This was really traumatic to people. They’ve been lashed by a storm, then jolted by an earthquake,” said Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol.
Double Disaster Strikes the Region
The quake comes just days after a tropical storm killed at least 27 people across the central Philippines. The storm caused widespread flooding, uprooted trees, and left entire towns without power.
With weakened hillsides now saturated by rain, Bacolcol warned that land- and mudslides pose an ongoing risk. Schools and government offices in the affected areas remain closed pending structural safety checks.
Philippines on the Ring of Fire
The Philippines is among the world’s most disaster-prone nations, sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country also endures an average of 20 typhoons and storms annually.
The national government said it may seek international assistance depending on the results of its rapid damage assessment.
Outlook
For residents of Cebu and nearby provinces, the earthquake is another blow after last week’s storm. With dozens dead, survivors missing, and infrastructure severely damaged, recovery efforts are expected to stretch for weeks.
