The Office of Civil Defence in Manila says it has now received reports that at least 69 people have been killed in the quake.
OCD deputy administrator Bernardo Alejandro said 30 of the deaths are from Bogo City, which was closest to the epicentre of last night’s quake.
There were 22 deaths in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, five in Tubogon and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan towns, he said, adding the numbers are subject to further validation.
Its was not immediately clear how many people are missing, but rescuers are sifting through rubble of collapsed structures, mindful of the 24-hour window where finding survivors is most likely, he said.Military deployed to assist earthquake victims
The Philippines’ military has deployed army and air force troops to support relief efforts.
‘It was as if the Earth stopped spinning’
We’re getting more accounts from Cebu residents who experienced the quake. Among them is Jayford Maranga, who was halfway through supper when the building he was in in Cebu City shook suddenly.
“My friend and I ate at the food court near closing time, and then, bang! It was as if the Earth stopped spinning,” the 21-year-old told AFP news agency.
The pair hid under a table in the restaurant, Maranga said, adding that his friend sustained slight injuries.
Agnes Merza in the town of Bantayan saw the tiles in her kitchen tiles crack.
“It felt as though we would all fall down. It’s the first time I have experienced it. The neighbors all ran out of their homes,” said the 65-year-old professional carer.
“My two teenage assistants hid under a table because that’s what they were taught in the boy scouts,” Merza told AFP.
Quake follows super typhoon and massive floods that sparked protests
This earthquake comes barely over a week after back-to-back typhoons killed over a dozen people and wrought damage to infrastructure and crops.
Super Typhoon Ragasa, known locally as Nando, struck in late September, followed swiftly by Typhoon Bualoi, known locally as Opong.
In the months prior, an extraordinarily wet monsoon season caused widespread flooding, sparking anger and protests over unfinished and sub-standard flood control systems that have been blamed on corruption.
Bell tower falls from Bantayan Island church after quake
The earthquake damaged centuries-old churches in Cebu where worshippers have been asked to stay away.
Philippines very vulnerable to natural disasters
Thousands of people in northern Cebu spent the night out on the streets – their homes last night as the area was hit by repeated aftershocks.
Extensive damage to buildings has been reported – residents described their homes as dancing when they were shaken by the tremors. There were chaotic scenes at hospitals as hundreds of victims were brought in for treatment.
The local authorities have declared a state of calamity in the affected areas, and appealed for volunteers with medical experience to help deal with injuries. Buckled and cracked roads, and fallen bridges, are making access difficult for emergency services.
The Philippines is very vulnerable to natural disasters. It is located on the geologically unstable ‘ring of fire’, and lies in the path of typhoons that sweep across the Pacific Ocean every year.
Seven of those who died in the quake lived in a village built to house victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the central Philippines twelve years ago killing more than 6,000 people.
‘We are staying outside our house as aftershocks continue’
The magnitude 6.9 earthquake was felt in large parts of Cebu, including in the provincial capital (also named Cebu) around two to three hours by car from the north-east coast, where the quake struck.
“It was a strong earthquake from where we are and aftershocks continue,” Cebu City resident Robel Suico tells DZMM – a local radio station based in the capital Manila.
“We are now staying outisde our house just to be safe,” he says.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival says the earthquake caused light damage to some structures.
“It was strong but there has been no major incident so far,” Archival says.
Before and after images show extent of damage
These images give you an idea of the extent of damage. Buildings and vehicles across the city were crushed as the earthquake hit. Cebu’s provincial authorities say up to 60 people have been killed.
Here’s a recap
This what has been happening in the Philippines since a deadly earthquake hit on Tuesday night:Up to 60 people have been killed and hundreds injured after the 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cebu just before 22:00 local time Tuesday
Cebu’s provincial government has declared of a state of calamity, and officials are rushing to restore electricity and deliver aid to those affected
Those injured after the quake as well as other patients are being treated outside hospital buildings, as aftershocks are still happening
At least 611 aftershocks have rattled the region since the 6.9 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, according to the state volcanology agency
Residents in quake-hit areas have told the BBC they slept out on the streets last night. Footage on local media show people clinging to one another as the quake hit
Cebu’s archbishop has told devotees to stay away from churches, pending structural assessments. This call is significant as Cebu was one of the first Philippine islands to be colonised by Spain in the 1500s, and houses many old churches.
Officials from Bogo warn of ‘lot of damage
In an update shared to Facebook, city of Bogo officials said that there was a “lot of damage caused by the earthquake”, and “despite our efforts, there are still recorded casualties”.
They urged residents to “pray carefully and continuously” as rescue efforts continue.
Reports of casualties continue coming in
Officially, the death toll from last night’s earthquake in Cebu is at 26, however disaster officials say they are receiving reports of more casualties.
However, the situation on the ground remains “very fluid”, as reports of deaths and injuries are confirmed, says Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defence.
Alejandro said the OCD is “receiving reports as high as 60 individuals” have died.
In disaster prone Philippines that is composed of thousands of islands, the national disaster agency based in Manila is tasked with releasing official casualty figures for typhoons and earthquakes. However, the count is usually slow as the numbers are subject to rigorous checks.
On the ground, hospitals, police and rescuers may have their own individual casualty counts.
At least seven dead in village built for typhoon Haiyan victims
At least seven people, including a pregnant woman, have died in Yolanda Village in Bogo. This is a housing project built for the victims of the catastrophic 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, known in the Philippines as Yolanda.
The storm killed more than 6,000 people in the Philippines and caused widespread damage.
Hundreds of aftershocks rattle Cebu
Hundreds of aftershocks have jolted Cebu since the deadly earthquake struck last night.
At least 225 such tremors had been recorded as of 09:19 today (01:19 GMT), with most of them hitting Bogo City, according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
President Marcos issues statement
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has put out a statement urging people to remain alert and cooperate with local authorities. Marcos says authorities are working to restore electricity and more staff are being deployed to local hospitals.
“My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones, and my prayers are with the injured and all those affected by the earthquake,” he said.
Patients treated outside hospital after earthquake
The situation outside this hospital in Bogo is chaotic, as patients are being treated in wheelchairs and hospital beds outside the building.
Tents have been set up, while doctors and nurses are rushing to attend to those injured.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
