A powerful magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday at approximately 10 pm, killing at least 69 people. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers, utilizing backhoes and sniffer dogs, continue the search for an unspecified number of residents trapped under debris in the hard-hit Cebu province.
The quake, one of the most powerful to hit the central region in over a decade, was set off by an undersea fault line at a dangerously shallow depth of 5 kilometers (3 miles). The epicenter was about 19 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of Bogo, a coastal city of about 90,000 people.
Casualties and Search Efforts
- Death Toll: As of Wednesday, at least 69 people have been confirmed dead, with about half of the deaths reported in Cebu province.
- Search and Rescue: Officials emphasized that the search is still within the “golden hour,” with reports of many people pinned by debris. The race to save lives is being hampered by sporadic rain and damaged infrastructure, including bridges and roads.
- Hard-Hit Areas: Deaths were reported in Bogo city and the outlying towns of Medellin and San Remigio. In the latter, five personnel (three coast guard, one firefighter, and one child) were killed by collapsing walls while fleeing a sports complex.
- Hazards: In a mountain village hit by a landslide and boulders near Bogo, the area is difficult to access, though some survivors have been rescued and transported to a hospital.
Government Response and External Aid
The Philippine government is currently conducting a rapid damage assessment and, based on its findings, is considering seeking help from foreign governments.
The United States, Japan, Australia, and the European Union have already expressed their condolences. U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, stated on social media, “We stand ready to support the Philippine government’s response as friends, partners, allies.”
Aftermath and Trauma
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a brief tsunami warning for Cebu and nearby provinces, though it was lifted three hours later after no waves up to the predicted 1 meter (3 feet) were reported.
However, the event has traumatized residents. Thousands refused to return home, opting to stay in open grassy fields and parks overnight despite intermittent rain. More than 600 aftershocks have been detected following the main temblor.
The disaster is compounded by the fact that Cebu and other central provinces were already recovering from a tropical storm that struck just the previous Friday, leaving at least 27 people dead and causing widespread power outages.
The Philippines is situated on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” and is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.