6.9 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Philippines, Resulting in 22 Fatalities and Extensive Damage

A powerful earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.9, struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, leading to the loss of at least 22 lives and numerous injuries. The seismic event caused significant damage to buildings and prompted residents to evacuate their homes, according to official reports. The epicenter of the quake was located approximately 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo, a coastal city with a population close to 90,000. The intense shaking compromised concrete structures, including homes and a fire station, caused substantial cracking in asphalt roads, and disrupted the power supply. Firefighter Rey Cañete reported that he and several colleagues sustained injuries after the barracks they were in began to shake violently. A concrete wall at their fire station collapsed, and they provided first aid to injured civilians, including an elderly man who suffered head injuries and was transported to a hospital. Several businesses and shops also sustained visible damage, along with deep cracks that appeared on roads. An older Roman Catholic church in Daanbantayan town, near Bogo, was also affected. Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro indicated that an undisclosed number of houses and a hospital in Bogo and surrounding areas were damaged, and that emergency medical teams were mobilized to assist residents who were trapped and injured. The extent of the damage and injuries was expected to be fully assessed during the daytime. A tsunami warning was initially issued by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, advising residents in Cebu and neighboring provinces to avoid coastal areas. However, this warning was later lifted after no unusual wave activity was detected.