A magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck 19 km northeast of Bogo city in Cebu province at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, sending shockwaves across the central Philippines and beyond.
By Wednesday, the Office of Civil Defense reported at least 69 lives lost: 30 in Bogo, 22 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, five in Tabogon, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan. Over 147 people were injured as walls collapsed and buildings crumbled under the powerful tremor.
More than 600 aftershocks have rattled the region since the main quake, keeping nerves on edge and complicating search and rescue missions. Emergency teams are racing against the clock to free survivors trapped in debris and to assess the full scale of the damage.
The Cebu provincial government declared a state of calamity to unlock emergency funds and freeze prices on essential goods, helping residents recover and stabilize local markets. "Calamity funds will be mobilized immediately to support recovery efforts," said OCD Deputy Administrator Bernardo Alejandro.
As rescue operations continue, communities across the Philippines are drawing on decades of experience living along the Pacific Ring of Fire—an area known for frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Volunteers, military units, and aid agencies are coordinating efforts to deliver food, water, and medical supplies to the hardest-hit towns.
With the death toll expected to rise and remote areas still unreachable, the human and economic impact of the quake is just beginning to emerge. For now, hope remains pinned on the tireless work of first responders and the resilience of local communities.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
