How Many Lives Were Lost in the 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake in the Philippines?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The earthquake was recorded at a magnitude of 6.9.
- At least 19 people have lost their lives.
- Rescue operations are ongoing, with fears that the death toll may rise.
- Power outages were experienced, but service has been mostly restored.
- The Philippines is located in a seismically active region known as the 'Ring of Fire.'
Manila, Oct 1 (NationPress) A devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines on Tuesday night, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 19 lives and leaving many others injured, according to reports from local media on Wednesday.
Authorities have confirmed the death toll at 19, amidst ongoing rescue operations and concerns that this number may continue to rise.
As per the provincial information office, local newspaper SunStar Cebu reported that 13 fatalities occurred in Bogo City, the quake's epicenter, while an additional four lives were lost in San Remigio town situated in northern Cebu, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The municipality of Medellin in Cebu also reported at least one death along with numerous injuries and damage to two bridges.
According to SunStar Cebu, an influx of victims from the earthquake has overwhelmed the medical staff at Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology first recorded the earthquake's magnitude at 6.7, later adjusting it to 6.9, indicating that it struck at a depth of 5 kilometers, about 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City.
The tremor was felt across numerous neighboring provinces in the central Philippines and in some areas in the southern Philippines.
Additionally, several village roads incurred damage.
The earthquake led to power lines tripping, resulting in outages across Cebu and adjacent central islands. However, power was restored shortly after midnight in Cebu and four other major central islands, as per an updated advisory from the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines.
The Philippines is located along the Pacific 'Ring of Fire,' a region notorious for its seismic and volcanic activity.