Cebu Earthquake Topples Buildings Cuts Power
Strong Quake Hits Cebu, Damages Historic Church, Triggers Power Outages
CEBU, Philippines – A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu province late Tuesday night, toppling buildings, cutting power, and damaging a century-old church.
The quake hit just before 10 p.m. (1400 GMT) in the central Visayas region, sending shockwaves across northern Cebu. San Remigio, one of the hardest-hit towns, was placed under a state of calamity to speed up relief and recovery efforts.
San Remigio Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes appealed for urgent assistance, citing a shortage of food, clean water, and equipment for search and rescue operations. “It is raining heavily and there is no electricity, so we really need help, especially in the northern part, because there’s a scarcity of water after supply lines were damaged by the earthquake,” Reynes said in a radio interview.
In Bogo City, close to the epicenter, hospital patients were evacuated as strong aftershocks continued through the night, forcing many residents to stay in evacuation centers or outdoors for safety.
Earthquake monitoring agencies measured the quake’s depth at about 10 km (6.2 miles). Several aftershocks followed, including one as strong as magnitude 6. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami risk.
Despite the widespread damage, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country’s second busiest, remained operational. Cebu province, home to 3.4 million people, is a major tourist hub known for its beaches and cultural landmarks.
The Philippines, located in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The country was shaken by two major tremors in January, and in 2023, a 6.7 magnitude offshore quake killed eight people.
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