At least 72 people have been confirmed dead after a powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday night, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
The quake hit at 9:59 p.m. local time and was centered in the Visayas region, near the town of Calape and just 18 kilometers (11 miles) from Bogo City, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The tremor caused widespread panic as people rushed out of their homes, while many buildings collapsed across Cebu and nearby provinces.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that most of the victims were from Bogo City (30 deaths), San Remigio (22), Medellin (12), Tabogon (5), and one each in Sogod, Tabuelan, and Borbon.
More than 200 others were injured, many seriously.
Among the dead were children and first responders who were crushed when a gymnasium and several houses collapsed. In Cebu City, a shopping mall suffered severe structural damage, and a fire broke out shortly after the quake.
Roads cracked, electricity was cut in some areas, and mobile networks went down temporarily, complicating rescue efforts.
Search and rescue teams, including military and police units, have been deployed to the hardest-hit towns. Heavy equipment is being used to clear rubble, while volunteers and local residents continue to dig by hand in hopes of finding survivors.
Hospitals across the region have been overwhelmed, and emergency tents have been set up to treat the injured.
Authorities have urged residents to stay away from damaged buildings, warning that aftershocks are expected.
This is the deadliest earthquake to strike the Philippines since 2013, when a magnitude 7.2 quake devastated Bohol province, killing more than 200 people and destroying centuries-old churches and infrastructure.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for urgent relief support, pledging government aid for victims’ families and immediate rebuilding assistance for affected communities.
