ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 on the Richter scale jolted Philippines on Tuesday night, killing at least 20 people.
According to details, at least 20 people were killed and more than 37 injured in the central Philippine province of Cebu following a severe earthquake, after which a state of emergency was declared.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale, caused multiple buildings to collapse and severely damaged infrastructure. Buildings and roads were damaged as rescuers search for casualties in coastal city of Bogo.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the earthquake struck Cebu, a province with a population of over 3.2 million, around 10 PM. Several aftershocks were also felt after the earthquake.
According to Cebu spokesperson Angelise de la Torre Orong, at least 20 deaths have been confirmed, while 37 people are injured, 4 buildings have completely collapsed, and 3 government offices have also been damaged.
She further stated that Governor Pam Barricuatros immediately ordered relief operations and directed the dispatch of water, medicines, and other essential supplies to the affected areas, while heavy machinery has also been sent to clear debris.
The epicentre of the earthquake was about 17km (10 miles) north-east of Bogo, a coastal city of about 90,000 people in Cebu province where at least 14 residents died, disaster-mitigation officer Rex Ygot told international media.
Six people, including three coast guard personnel, a firefighter and a child, were killed separately in San Remigio town, south of Bogo, according to the town’s vice mayor, Alfie Reynes.
The Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries, is often hit by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, an arc of seismic faults around the ocean.
