Philippines Earthquake Death Toll Nears 70 After 6.9 Magnitude Quake
Philippines Earthquake Death Toll Nears 70 After 6.9 Magnitude Quake
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The death toll from the powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck the Cebu region of the Philippines has climbed to 69, with dozens more reported injured, according to Anadolu Agency. The seismic event struck just one week after the country was battered by two deadly typhoons.
The Office of the Civil Defense reported casualties across several areas, confirming 30 fatalities in Bogo City, 22 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, five in Tabogon, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan. The tremor occurred at 9:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday, centered 21 kilometers (13 miles) northeast of Bogo City at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers (3 miles), according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. The U.S. Geological Survey initially recorded the magnitude as 7.0 before revising it.
The quake caused severe damage, including the collapse of a sports complex in northern Cebu during a basketball game, resulting in multiple casualties. The St. Peter and Paul Church on Bantayan Island and a fast-food chain building in Bogo also partially collapsed. As aftershocks continue, rescue and search teams have been deployed to the affected areas, though authorities fear the death toll could rise further. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated there was no significant tsunami threat, and classes were suspended in several parts of Cebu for Wednesday.
