A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, sparking fears of increasing casualties and significant destruction across the region. The earthquake occurred around 10 p.m. local time, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS). The epicenter was located approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) underwater, just west of Palompon, and near the city of Bogo in Cebu province.
Seismologists warn that an earthquake of this magnitude in the region could lead to serious injuries and extensive damage, particularly to poorly built structures. Local news outlet ABS-CBN has reported at least five fatalities resulting from the quake—these include one child, a member of the local firefighting service, and three individuals from the Philippine Coast Guard, all occurring in the town of San Remigio in Cebu. This information was confirmed by Police Capt. Jan Ace Elcid Layug.
Footage circulating on social media platforms from Cebu province depicts alarming scenes, including a fire that broke out at a local mall and severe damage to a McDonald’s restaurant. Additionally, beauty pageant contestants were captured on video evacuating the stage as the tremors began.
The Philippine Red Cross has reported incidents of debris, cracks in buildings, and temporary power outages at schools throughout Cebu. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded multiple aftershocks near the epicenter in the hours following the initial quake and subsequently canceled a tsunami alert for the Leyte, Biliran, and Cebu provinces early Wednesday local time.
Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro addressed residents via social media, urging calm and confirming that the presidential office has pledged to send immediate aid to Cebu. “Know that the provincial government is doing its best. Help is coming,” she assured the public in her message.
The municipality of Medellin in Cebu announced on its Facebook page that classes would be suspended until further notice, with work also halted as authorities assess the safety of facilities and buildings affected by the earthquake.
According to estimates from the USGS, more than half a million people experienced very strong shaking across the Visayan Islands, which encompass Cebu, Biliran, and Leyte. The intensity of the shaking is likely to cause “considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures,” while well-built ordinary structures may suffer only slight to moderate damage.
The Philippines is situated along the Ring of Fire, a 25,000-mile (40,000-kilometer) arc of seismic fault lines encircling the Pacific Ocean, home to over half of the world’s volcanoes. In recent years, the country has experienced significant seismic events, including a 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2022 that resulted in at least five deaths and over 100 injuries in northern Luzon, and a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in 2019 that claimed the lives of at least 11 people.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available regarding the earthquake's aftermath and ongoing recovery efforts.
