On Tuesday night, a powerful magnitude-6.9 quake shook Cebu province in the central Philippines, leaving 69 people dead and hundreds injured. The tremor struck at 9:59 p.m. local time, its epicenter just 19 km northeast of Bogo city, where the strongest impact was felt. 😓
According to Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro from the Philippines Office of Civil Defense, the fatalities are as follows:
- 30 in Bogo city
- 10 in Medellin town
- 22 in San Remigio town
- 5 in Tabogon town
- 1 each in Sogod and Tabuelan
Victims were crushed by collapsed walls of houses and buildings, and the number is expected to rise as search and rescue teams sift through debris. More than 600 aftershocks have rattled the region since the first tremor.
With the province under a state of calamity, local and national authorities can tap into emergency funds for relief, rehab, and measures like price freezes on essential goods. Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reports at least 147 people hurt, and more updates are pending.
The Philippines sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it a hotspot for seismic activity. This latest quake shows the power of nature and the importance of preparedness. 💪🌍
Rescue operations continue day and night as communities rally to support survivors. We will keep you posted with the latest developments. 🔍🙏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
