A devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the central Philippines late Tuesday, causing widespread destruction and claiming at least 26 lives on the island of Cebu. Authorities fear the death toll may rise as rescue teams continue to search for survivors amidst the rubble of collapsed buildings. The quake, which struck at 9:59 pm near the northern city of Bogo, was shallow and powerful, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 147 injuries and damage to 22 structures, though specific details remain unclear. Local rescuers in Bogo and the nearby municipality of San Remigio confirmed fatalities, with efforts to recover victims hindered by darkness and ongoing aftershocks. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 379 aftershocks in the region.
Dramatic footage shared on social media captured the moment a historic Catholic church on Bantayan Island crumbled, its belfry collapsing into the courtyard. Local television also showed a bridge in Cebu violently shaking, forcing motorcyclists to dismount and cling to railings for safety. Power outages affected Cebu and neighboring islands, though electricity was restored shortly after midnight.
The Cebu provincial government has appealed for medical volunteers via its official Facebook page, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance. Rescue official Wilson Ramos highlighted ongoing efforts in San Remigio and Bogo, where survivors may still be trapped under debris. Residents described the terrifying experience, with one witness recounting the collapse of the church belfry and another noting cracked kitchen tiles and neighbors fleeing their homes.
Governor Pamela Baricuatro urged residents to remain calm, avoid unstable structures, and prepare for aftershocks. The USGS initially reported a magnitude of 7.0 before revising it downward, while the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed no tsunami threat. The Philippines, located on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ experiences frequent seismic activity, with unpredictable and destructive quakes posing a constant risk.