Late Tuesday night, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the central region of the Philippines, resulting in at least 69 fatalities and over 140 injuries, as reported by local officials.
Below is a detailed overview of the incident and an explanation of why the Philippines remains highly susceptible to seismic events.
Location and Severity of the Earthquake
At 9:59 PM local time (13:59 GMT) on Tuesday, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred approximately 12 miles northeast of Bogo City, situated in Cebu province within the central Visayas region.
Seismological data indicates the quake’s focal depth was around 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), classifying it as a shallow earthquake.
Shallow earthquakes, defined by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as those occurring between 0 and 70 kilometers beneath the surface, tend to inflict more severe damage due to their proximity to the Earth’s crust.
Since the initial tremor, the USGS has recorded four significant aftershocks with magnitudes of 5.0 or greater. Residents across the Visayan Islands-including Cebu, Biliran, and Leyte-felt the tremors.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially issued a tsunami warning for Leyte, Biliran, and Cebu but lifted the alert the following morning after confirming no abnormal wave activity.
Extent of the Destruction
Following the earthquake, Cebu province declared a “state of calamity” as the quake caused widespread structural damage and power outages across Cebu and neighboring islands, according to the national power grid operator.
Bogo City, home to roughly 90,000 people, suffered the most severe impact, with over 20 confirmed deaths, including four children. Numerous homes and commercial establishments sustained heavy damage.
Additional casualties were reported in nearby municipalities such as Medellin, Tabuelan, and San Remigio, the latter located just a 16-minute drive from Bogo City.
Tragically, seven individuals, including members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and three coastguard personnel, lost their lives when the roof of the San Remigio Sports Complex and evacuation center collapsed during a basketball game, as reported by local news outlet SunStar Cebu.
The earthquake also devastated several historic churches and heritage buildings throughout Cebu province.
Social media footage revealed the collapse of the centuries-old Saints Peter and Paul Parish on Bantayan Island, a significant cultural landmark.
Images broadcast by Radyo Pilipinas, a government-run radio station, showed the ruins of the 139-year-old Archdiocesan Shrine of Sta. Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, north of Bogo City.
Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro highlighted the cultural loss, stating, “The destruction of these heritage sites underscores the profound impact of the earthquake on Cebu’s historical and spiritual identity.”
Current Rescue and Relief Efforts
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed his sympathies to the victims’ families and confirmed that the Bureau of Fire Protection and the Philippine National Police are actively engaged in rescue and recovery missions. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy is working to restore electricity in affected areas.
Hospitals in Bogo City are overwhelmed, with some patients evacuated due to aftershocks compromising hospital safety.
A spokesperson for Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate health committee overseeing relief efforts, informed Al Jazeera that “Bogo City’s medical facilities have reached full capacity, yet patient arrivals continue.”
Medical personnel at the provincial hospital reported no major structural damage but are struggling to manage the surge in patients. Relief teams are prioritizing the delivery of clean drinking water, with two truckloads en route to the hospital.
The Philippine Red Cross has provided medical assistance, treating at least 60 injured individuals across three provinces.
Authorities in Cebu have appealed nationally and internationally for aid, particularly requesting water supplies and rescue equipment to support ongoing operations.
San Remigio’s vice mayor, Alfie Reynes, emphasized the urgency, stating, “Heavy rains and power outages have compounded the crisis, and water scarcity is critical due to damaged supply lines.”
Governor Baricuatro has urged residents to remain calm and seek open spaces to avoid injury from potential aftershocks, advising them to steer clear of unstable structures.
She also confirmed that provincial officials are conducting damage assessments and coordinating with local governments to address the situation.
Why the Philippines is Earthquake-Prone and Its Preparedness Measures
The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a geologically active zone characterized by frequent volcanic eruptions and seismic activity due to the movement of tectonic plates.
This location subjects the country to near-daily minor earthquakes and volcanic events as plates converge, diverge, or slide past one another.
Other nations within this volatile belt include Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, the United States, Canada, Russia, Guatemala, Peru, and Chile.
Phivolcs has developed comprehensive educational materials and alert systems to enhance public awareness and disaster resilience. Notifications about the recent earthquake were promptly disseminated through the government’s civil defense Facebook page and various weather alert platforms.
The United Nations, via its Anticipatory Action Pilot Programme, collaborates with the Philippine government to strengthen community preparedness and response capabilities for earthquakes and other natural calamities.
UN Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez emphasized the importance of leveraging local knowledge, stating, “Incorporating indigenous solutions is vital for crafting effective, context-specific disaster management strategies.”
