The death toll from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the central Philippines late on Tuesday has risen to 72, the civil defence agency said on Thursday (2 October).
Another 294 people were injured, the agency said in a report. The latest death toll was an increase of three from Wednesday and all fatalities were recorded in the central Visayas region.
As rescue operations continue, survivors in the worst-hit city of Bogo are confronting widespread power outages, destroyed homes, and overwhelmed medical facilities.
Many residents have been forced to sleep outdoors in tents or their vehicles, gathering in open spaces to collect relief supplies as darkness fell.
In affected neighbourhoods, houses sustained severe damage as terraces collapsed, and wooden and sheet-metal structures were destroyed. Some residents remained in their damaged homes despite the danger.
Fear of aftershocks and structural damage forced the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo to move bed-bound patients outside to receive treatment, including intravenous drips and oxygen, in the parking lot. The hospital is also functioning as a coordination centre for rescue operations and casualty reporting.
The shallow quake struck waters off the central island of Cebu late at night, damaging power lines, bridges and multiple buildings, including a church that was more than 100 years old.
Early on Wednesday, military vehicles carrying critical aid arrived in the affected areas, delivering much-needed supplies to the devastated communities.
Mark Ochea, who was working as a security guard at a McDonald’s fast food restaurant when the disaster struck, described the scene when the building collapsed.
“It really collapsed. It was like, bam, and then the other side of our building collapsed,” the 36-year-old said outside the restaurant now surrounded by rubble.
“It’s a good thing that all of the people were all out front.”
Meanwhile, 47-year-old tricycle driver Sonny Cuse was thankful his family and neighbours escaped unscathed even though they were all afraid.
“We were afraid," Sonny said. "We thought we would have died by today, but we’re thankful that we are all safe. I’m thankful to the Lord.”
The Cebu quake was the country's deadliest since at least 2013, when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the neighbouring island of Bohol, killing 222 people.
The Philippines sits on the Pacific 'Ring of Fire' and experiences more than 800 quakes each year.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port ci...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the war against Iran was nearing its end, saying Tehran wanted to reach a deal as the c...
Poland has urged the European Union to accelerate action against Meta after a new report estimated the technology giant could have earned around $1...
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was carrying out tests on a new weapon to intercept drones and had recorded a successful hit overnight.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Russian air strikes injured 13 and damaged buildings in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and in the Black Sea port city of Odesa in the early hours of Thursday, officials said on the Telegram messaging app.
A top Democrat on the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee said on Wednesday he would not approve the Trump administration’s proposed $2.8 billion sale of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel, citing concerns over civilian protection and international law.
Poland has urged the European Union to accelerate action against Meta after a new report estimated the technology giant could have earned around $199 million (760 million zlotys) from fraudulent advertisements in the country over a year.
Israel and Morocco have agreed to upgrade their diplomatic relations, turn their existing missions into full embassies and appoint ambassadors, marking a further expansion of ties restored under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords.
China has officially opened the Pinglu Canal, a $10.75 billion waterway giving the country's landlocked southwest a shorter, direct route to the sea and Southeast Asian markets.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment