Cebu, Philippines, Oct 1: The death toll from a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck central Philippines has climbed to 69, authorities said on Wednesday, as rescue operations intensified to locate survivors amid widespread damage and power outages.
The shallow quake hit late Tuesday off Cebu island, one of the strongest in a decade, injuring at least 150 people and overwhelming hospitals near the epicentre. Civil Defense official Jane Abapo, citing provincial disaster agency figures, said the toll stood at 69 but remains subject to validation.
Rescue teams continue to search collapsed structures in San Remigio, Bogo City, and nearby towns. Local officials reported children as young as 12 among the dead, and Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes confirmed that some casualties occurred when a sports complex collapsed during a basketball game.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured survivors of rapid relief, deploying cabinet secretaries and medical teams to affected areas. The coast guard has dispatched a vessel carrying doctors, nurses, and supplies, while authorities appealed for food, clean water, and heavy equipment to support rescue work.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the quake struck at a depth of 10 km and has triggered nearly 800 aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 6. No tsunami threat was detected, but officials warned of more tremors in coming days.
Videos shared on local media showed residents fleeing collapsing buildings, including a century-old church. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport remains operational, though many homes and infrastructure in northern Cebu have been damaged.
The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Tuesday’s quake follows two tremors earlier this year that caused no casualties, and a 6.7-magnitude offshore quake in 2023 that killed eight. (Agencies)
