Faisal Salisu DambattaA powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake has struck the central region of the Philippines, resulting in widespread devastation. Tragically, dozens of lives have been lost, and hundreds more have sustained injuries
A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck central Philippines late Tuesday night, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 140, officials confirmed. The quake, which hit at 9:59 p.m. local time (1359 GMT), had its epicenter about 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers.
Hospitals in the region, particularly in Bogo, were overwhelmed by the influx of injured patients. Children and adults were seen receiving emergency care under makeshift tents outside the hospital due to overcrowding.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. offered condolences to the victims’ families and assured swift government assistance for survivors. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) briefly issued a tsunami warning but lifted it after no unusual waves were detected. Authorities, however, cautioned that aftershocks are expected.
The quake caused widespread destruction, damaging churches, a sports arena, and numerous homes. Power outages plunged communities into darkness as residents fled collapsing structures, with social media videos capturing scenes of panic in public markets.
Rescue operations continue, with fears that the death toll could rise, especially in mountain villages where landslides and falling boulders buried homes. Local officials have appealed for urgent food and water supplies, while Cebu’s provincial government called for medical volunteers to support overwhelmed hospitals.
The disaster comes just days after a deadly storm swept through the Cebu region, killing at least 27 people. Located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the Philippines frequently experiences earthquakes, though most are minor compared to Tuesday’s devastating tremor.
