State of calamity in Philippines province as earthquake kills 69

Philippines Earthquake: At Least 69 Dead, Dozens Injured in Cebu Province

At least 69 people have been confirmed dead and dozens more injured after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late Tuesday.

The province of Cebu suffered the heaviest destruction and declared a state of calamity early Wednesday. Thousands of residents spent the night outside, enduring repeated aftershocks without electricity or running water. One resident told the BBC that cries of frightened children could be heard through the night, describing the community as “traumatised.”

This disaster comes just over a week after the country was battered by back-to-back typhoons that left more than 20 people dead.

Bogo City at the Epicentre

The town of Bogo, located on one of the largest islands in the Visayas region and closest to the quake’s epicentre, saw the highest number of casualties.

Photos from the area show body bags lined along streets and makeshift hospitals in tents treating hundreds of injured people. Local officials warned that the level of destruction is extensive and have appealed for volunteer medical workers to help overwhelmed hospitals.

Collapsed bridges, cracked highways, and downed power lines have hampered rescue and relief operations.

Tragically, seven of the victims were residents of a village originally built to house survivors of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which killed more than 6,000 people.

Other Hard-Hit Areas

In San Remigio municipality, nearly 20 spectators were injured when the quake struck during a basketball game. At least one later died from injuries.

Officials from the national police and fire bureau say their immediate focus is on search and rescue operations, restoring electricity, and delivering relief supplies to displaced residents.

By Wednesday evening, Cebu experienced another aftershock of 4.7 magnitude, felt in Cebu City and the nearby Leyte islands. No casualties were reported.

Churches and Cultural Heritage at Risk

Cebu, known as one of the earliest sites of Spanish colonisation in the Philippines, is home to many historic churches. The archbishop has urged worshippers to avoid churches until structural safety checks are complete. Earlier footage showed the bell tower of an old Catholic church collapsing during the tremors.

The Philippines’ Vulnerability

The Philippines, an island nation of more than 7,000 islands, is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world.

It sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, where tectonic plates frequently collide, making it highly susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In this case, the quake was caused by the Philippine Plate pushing beneath the Eurasian Plate, triggering sudden, violent movement.

In addition, the country lies directly in the path of typhoons sweeping across the Pacific Ocean each year. Just last month, Tropical Storm Bualoi and Typhoon Ragasa killed more than a dozen people and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate.

⚠️ Officials warn that the death toll from the earthquake may rise as communications improve and more areas become accessible.