A powerful earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday evening, leading to building collapses and the tragic deaths of at least 20 individuals, with more than three dozen others sustaining injuries, according to a government spokesperson.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed that the 6.9-magnitude tremor hit Cebu province, an area home to 3.2 million residents, shortly before 10 p.m. local time. The initial shock was followed by numerous smaller aftershocks.
Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong, a spokeswoman for Cebu, reported via email that the death toll had reached at least 20, with 37 people injured. She added that four buildings had completely collapsed, three government structures suffered damage, and six bridges along with one major road were rendered impassable.
Governor Pam Baricuatro of Cebu promptly ordered the distribution of essential relief supplies, such as water and medicine, to affected communities. Rescue teams and road-clearing equipment were immediately deployed to assist in recovery efforts.
Neighboring South Cotabato province also announced plans to send aid, including relief provisions and a medical team, to Cebu.
Captain Jan Ace Elcid Layug, who leads the police force in San Remigio, stated that five fatalities occurred in that town, as reported by a local news outlet.
Among the deceased in San Remigio, four were killed when a sports complex collapsed. These victims included a member of the Bureau of Fire Protection and three from the Philippine Coast Guard. The fifth victim in the town was a child found trapped beneath debris at a separate site.
Authorities in San Remigio indicated via a social media post that they intend to declare a “state of calamity,” citing extensive damage and disruption to residents’ lives. This declaration is expected to facilitate the mobilization of crucial resources for the earthquake victims.
In Cebu, schools and government offices were ordered closed for Wednesday to allow comprehensive inspections for structural damage.
The Archdiocese of Cebu announced that several churches had sustained severe damage and should remain closed for Masses until thorough inspections are completed. Images shared online, including those from the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Cebu, depicted parts of stone structures reduced to rubble.
Local news outlets also published photographs of extensively damaged fast-food establishments and residential apartment buildings.
Initially, authorities issued a warning about a minor sea-level disturbance following the earthquake, advising residents to avoid coastal areas. However, this advisory was later lifted once the immediate danger had subsided.
The Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands, is frequently impacted by earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an active seismic zone. For instance, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake in November 2023 in the southern Philippines resulted in at least seven deaths and hundreds of injuries.
Prior to that, a 7-magnitude quake in July 2023 claimed at least four lives in the northern Philippines. The southern part of the country also experienced several devastating earthquakes in 2019, including a powerful 6.9-magnitude event that killed at least two individuals.