Philippines Earthquake: 6.9 Magnitude Quake Kills 22, Damages Buildings in Central Region

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, causing the deaths of at least 22 people and leaving many injured. The seismic event caused considerable damage to buildings, leading residents to evacuate their residences, according to officials. The earthquake’s epicenter was located about 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo, a coastal city with a population of almost 90,000. The intense shaking damaged the concrete walls of homes and a fire station, caused significant cracks in asphalt roads, and interrupted the power supply. Firefighter Rey Cañete recounted that he and three other firemen were injured when the ground began to shake. A concrete wall in their fire station collapsed, and they immediately provided first aid to three injured civilians, including an elderly man who was subsequently taken to a hospital due to head injuries. Several shops and businesses suffered visible damage, including cracks in the asphalt and concrete roads. The old Roman Catholic church in Daanbantayan town, close to Bogo, also sustained damage. Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro stated that a number of houses and a hospital were damaged in Bogo and surrounding areas, and that emergency medical teams were deployed to care for trapped and injured residents. The full extent of the damage and the number of injuries were anticipated to be determined during the daytime. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a tsunami warning, urging people in Cebu and neighboring provinces to stay away from the coast. However, the tsunami warning was later canceled after no unusual wave activity was detected.