Violent earthquake of magnitude 6.9 in the central Philippines: at least 69 victims, collapses and blackouts

A violent earthquake of magnitude 6.9 hit the central province of Cebu yesterday evening in the Philippines, causing serious damage and a provisional balance of at least 69 deaths and almost 150 injured. The main shock was recorded at 9:59 pm local time off the northern tip of the island, with an epicenter near the coastal city of Bogo, which has about 90,000 inhabitants.

According to the US Geological Survey, the seismic event was triggered by a movement on a local fault about 5 kilometers of depth, and was followed by at least four strong replicas higher than magnitude 5, which increased the fear between the population.

Collapses and blackouts in different areas

The earthquake caused the collapse of buildings, infrastructure damage and widespread current interruptions. The images broadcast by local televisions showed dramatic scenes: motorcyclists forced to stop and cling to the railings of a bridge while the entire structure oscillated in a dangerous way.

Many families fled to the street in the middle of the night, some looking for safer areas, others remained near hospitals such as Bogo, where patients were evacuated outside for fear of new collapses.

A race against time for rescue

The Philippine authorities have declared the state of calamity in various areas of the province of Cebu. Rescuers teams, supported by the army, police, volunteers and research dogs, are engaged in a race against time to find survivors among the rubble with many who could still be trapped under the debris.

Particular concern comes from a mountain village near Bogo, hit by a landslide that overwhelmed a group of shacks. Rescuers are trying to transport heavy vehicles to accelerate operations and remove boulders and debris. The event recalled how much the Philippines, located on the Pacific Fire ring, remain extremely vulnerable to earthquakes and natural events of great intensity.

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