MANILA, Oct 1 — At least 22 people have died after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year, officials confirmed.
MANILA, Oct 1 — At least 22 people have died after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year, officials confirmed.
The quake hit off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region just before 10pm yesterday, causing widespread power outages and structural damage.
San Remigio vice mayor Alfie Reynes confirmed the death toll in an interview with DZMM radio, while another official told Reuters that 21 deaths had been reported in Cebu province, though verification of the figures is ongoing.
According to The New York Times, at least 37 people were injured, and several buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure collapsed. Earthquake monitoring agencies recorded the tremor at a depth of about 10 km (6.2 miles), with multiple aftershocks, the strongest measuring magnitude 6. Authorities said there was no tsunami threat.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) initially issued an alert over possible strong currents and rapid seawater changes, urging the public to remain vigilant. The warning was lifted three hours later.
Cebu City, home to nearly one million residents, bore the brunt of the impact. The Philippines, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences quakes and volcanic activity. Earlier this year, two major tremors were recorded with no casualties, while in 2023, an offshore 6.7-magnitude quake claimed eight lives. — Reuters
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