CEBU, Philippines — A powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook northern Cebu late Tuesday evening, leaving widespread destruction, dozens of lives lost, and thousands in urgent need of assistance.
Authorities reported at least 69 fatalities as of Wednesday night, with many more injured and others feared trapped under collapsed buildings. The hardest-hit area was Bogo City, the epicenter of the quake, while surrounding municipalities including San Remigio, Medellin, Tabogon, Tabuelan, and Sogod also suffered severe damage.
In San Remigio, a roof collapsed during a basketball game, killing spectators and responders alike, including a child. Meanwhile, historic and cultural sites such as the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan sustained major structural damage, adding heritage losses to the human tragedy.
Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, though teams face challenges due to continuous aftershocks, damaged roads, and intermittent rains. Authorities have so far recorded more than 800 aftershocks since the quake. Sniffer dogs, backhoes, and volunteer groups are working side by side to retrieve survivors and recover bodies from the rubble. Hospitals in Bogo are already overwhelmed, forcing the transfer of critically injured patients to neighboring cities.
The provincial government of Cebu has appealed for donations of food, potable water, medicines, tents, and rescue equipment. Governor Pamela Baricuatro confirmed that the province has been placed under a state of calamity to speed up aid distribution and tap into emergency funds.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to mobilize resources and extend immediate assistance to the quake-stricken areas. “We are committed to ensuring that all affected families receive the help they need,” he said, while expressing condolences to the victims’ loved ones.
Despite initial fears of a tsunami, authorities lifted the alert after monitoring no unusual wave activity along the coastlines of Cebu, Leyte, and Biliran.
With entire communities displaced and infrastructure heavily damaged, officials warn that recovery will take time. For now, the focus remains on saving lives, providing shelter and relief, and keeping residents safe as aftershocks continue to shake Cebu.
