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Key Points

The death toll from Tuesday's magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu province has reached 70 people with 559 others injured. Over 120,000 families have been affected by the tremor that damaged thousands of homes and critical infrastructure. Rescue operations have officially ended as the government shifts focus to relief efforts and rehabilitation. Survivors continue to depend on aid distribution for basic necessities while facing ongoing aftershocks in the region.

Key Points: Philippine Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 70 in Cebu Province

  • Bogo City recorded 32 fatalities as the earthquake's epicenter
  • Over 18,000 houses damaged with 500 infrastructures including roads and bridges affected
  • Survivors appeal for food packs and tents amid ongoing power outages
  • Philippine government shifts focus from rescue to relief and rehabilitation efforts
2 min read

Death toll in Philippine earthquake rises to 70, with 559 injuries

Magnitude 6.9 quake leaves 70 dead, 559 injured with over 120,000 families affected in central Philippines as rescue operations end and relief efforts intensify.

"More than 120,000 families, or approximately 457,000 people, were affected by the tremor - National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council"

Manila, Oct 4

The death toll in Tuesday's magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu province in central Philippines has climbed to 70, according to the latest official figure released by the Philippines' highest body for disaster risk reduction and management on Saturday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 32 of the fatalities were recorded in Bogo City, the quake's epicentre, 15 in San Remigio town, 14 in Medellin town, six in Tabogon town, and one each in the municipalities of Sogod, Tabuelan, and Borbon.

The NDRRMC further reported that 559 people have been injured in the 5-kilometre-deep, offshore quake that struck at 9:59 p.m. local time while villagers were asleep and preparing to go to bed.

More than 120,000 families, or approximately 457,000 people, were affected by the tremor, which damaged over 18,000 houses and more than 500 infrastructures, including roads, bridges, and the city's hospital.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology continues to record aftershocks, with more than 5,000 as of the time of writing, prompting people to stay in open spaces in makeshift tents due to their reluctance to return home because of the aftershocks.

All residents have now been accounted for, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Philippine government has announced the termination of search, rescue, and retrieval operations, focusing on relief efforts, early recovery, and rehabilitation activities.

Nearly four days since the quake struck, survivors continue to depend on the dole out for food and water as they face daily struggles to live. The victims appeal for food packs, first aid kits, hygiene supplies, tents, sleeping bags, and generator sets amid power outages.

The Philippines sits along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Earlier on Thursday, the Philippine government had announced the official termination of search, rescue, and retrieval operations in the four municipalities hardest hit by a powerful earthquake.

In a statement, the Philippines' Office of Civil Defence had announced that search, rescue, and retrieval operations in the municipalities of San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Medellin, and the City of Bogo, Province of Cebu, ended on Thursday afternoon.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
More than 5000 aftershocks? That's terrifying! Reminds me of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. People staying in makeshift tents for weeks. Hope the relief operations are well organized and reach everyone in need.
S
Sarah B
India should send immediate humanitarian aid to Philippines. We have experience in disaster management and our NDRF teams are among the best in the world. This is when international cooperation matters most.
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Arjun K
The timing makes it worse - people were asleep or preparing for bed. No warning at all. Makes me wonder if our disaster warning systems in coastal areas are adequate. We need to learn from such tragedies.
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Michael C
While the government's focus on relief is good, terminating search operations after just 4 days seems premature. What if there are still people trapped? Every life matters and they should continue search efforts.
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Kavya N
Over 450,000 people affected! That's like a medium-sized Indian city. The scale is massive. Hope they get proper medical care and temporary shelters soon. The psychological trauma will last for years. 🙏

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