A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Central Philippines late Tuesday, leaving at least 60 people dead and prompting several cities to declare a state of calamity, officials confirmed.
Hardest-Hit Areas
The quake severely affected the city of Bogo and surrounding towns in Cebu province. Many buildings sustained major damage, power lines were cut, and hundreds of families have been displaced.
Cebu City, home to nearly one million residents, experienced widespread panic and disruptions, with rescue teams rushing to assess the scale of destruction.
Tsunami Alert Lifted
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially issued a tsunami warning, but later lifted it, saying that “minor sea level disturbances” had passed without significant threat.
Ongoing Rescue and Relief Efforts
Authorities continue to carry out search-and-rescue operations, while emergency shelters and relief supplies are being provided to survivors. Many residents remain in shock as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.
The earthquake is one of the deadliest natural disasters in the Philippines in recent years, raising fears of prolonged humanitarian and economic consequences.
