A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines late Tuesday night, causing widespread destruction and leading to at least 69 fatalities.
In response to the devastation, Cebu declared a state of calamity early Wednesday morning as thousands spent the night outside amidst continuing aftershocks. Power and water supplies have been disrupted, leaving residents in distress. One local described the scene, highlighting the cries of traumatized children echoing through the streets.
This earthquake follows closely on the heels of recent typhoons that recently battered the region, taking over 20 lives just a week prior.
The majority of the casualties were reported in Bogo, a town near the earthquake's epicenter. Images from the area show body bags on the streets and hundreds receiving treatment in makeshift hospitals. Local officials have called for volunteers with medical expertise to assist in the response.
Access to affected regions is hindered by damaged roads and fallen bridges, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Furthermore, significant aftershocks continue to rattle the region, including a notable one measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale.
Among the deceased were individuals residing in a village built for Typhoon Haiyan victims, reflecting the ongoing vulnerability of the region to natural disasters. Authorities are prioritizing the search and rescue operations while attempting to restore basic services and relief supplies.
As the situation develops, the local archbishop urged residents to avoid churches for safety, ahead of structural assessments on many historic sites.
The Philippines is located along the earthquake-prone Ring of Fire, making it especially susceptible to seismic activity and natural disasters, including frequent typhoons.
