MANILA — A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, killing at least eight people and triggering widespread panic as residents fled homes amid strong aftershocks.
The quake, which struck offshore near Bogo City in Cebu province, caused extensive damage to buildings, roads and public infrastructure. Among the casualties were four individuals found beneath a collapsed sports centre in San Remigio, while a child was crushed by debris elsewhere in the town.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with emergency teams working through the night to locate survivors possibly trapped under rubble. Officials warned that aftershocks could continue for days, complicating recovery efforts and forcing many residents to seek temporary shelter.
Local authorities reported power outages in several towns, including Daanbantayan, where a historic stone church sustained structural damage. A fire station also collapsed, injuring multiple personnel.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro confirmed that medical teams have been deployed to affected areas and appealed for additional supplies, including food and trauma care. “We need medicine, food, medical teams,” she told DZMM radio.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake originated from a local fault and had a shallow depth of 11 kilometers, increasing its destructive potential. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there is no tsunami threat.
The Philippines, located on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is highly prone to seismic activity. Tuesday’s earthquake is one of the strongest to hit the region this year and has reignited calls for improved disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
