The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck the central Philippines earlier this week has risen to 72, the civil defence agency confirmed on Thursday.
The magnitude 6.9 quake, which hit late Tuesday off the coast of Cebu Island, also left 294 people injured. Authorities said all fatalities were reported in the central Visayas region, where communities were hardest hit.
The latest figure marks an increase of three deaths since Wednesday.
The shallow tremor caused widespread destruction, damaging bridges, power lines, and residential buildings. A historic church, more than a century old, was also left in ruins.
Rescue and recovery operations continue as authorities work to restore essential services and assess the full scale of the disaster.
Officials described the quake as the deadliest to strike the Philippines since 2013, when a 7.2-magnitude earthquake devastated neighboring Bohol Island, killing 222 people.
The Philippines, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is one of the most disaster-prone nations in the world, recording over 800 earthquakes annually.
Experts warn that the frequency and intensity of such seismic events highlight the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
