Earthquake Claims Over Sixty Lives in Philippines

(MENAFN) A devastating earthquake measuring 6.9 in magnitude struck the vicinity of Cebu in the Philippines, resulting in at least 61 fatalities and injuring more than 140 individuals, as reported by local media on Wednesday.

The tremor occurred at 9:59 p.m. (1359 GMT) on Tuesday and had its epicenter located approximately 21 kilometers (13 miles) northeast of Bogo City, with a shallow depth of 5 kilometers (3 miles).

This information was provided by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), according to a news outlet.

Initially, the US Geological Survey assessed the quake at a magnitude of 7.0, but later revised the measurement downward.

Local officials confirmed that 27 of the deceased were found in Bogo City, while the rest of the fatalities were from San Remigio and nearby municipalities close to the quake’s center.

Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced that the tremor posed “no significant tsunami threat.”

Search and emergency response teams have already reached the impacted communities, even as aftershocks persist across the region.

Authorities remain concerned that the number of casualties may continue to climb.

The earthquake also led to the collapse of a sports arena in northern Cebu during an ongoing basketball game, resulting in several deaths and injuries.

In addition, the St. Peter and Paul Church, situated on Bantayan Island, was also reported to have collapsed during the earthquake.

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