The tremor hit the coast of Bogo City at 9:59 pm on Tuesday, September 30, with the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Philippines (Phivolcs) that reports a superficial depth of around 10 kilometers.
Residents said the earthquake sent people to flee to the streets. A tsunami warning was briefly issued and then rose in the early hours of Wednesday.
Victims and damage
The death toll has increased to 72 after search and rescue operations concluded on Wednesday, according to media reports.
More than 200 people were injured in Bogo, Medellin and San Remigio. More than 111,000 people have been affected, including 20,000 displaced, many of which are camped outside their damaged homes or in open spaces as the replicas continue.
The UN Alivio Coordination Office, Ocha, said that the Philippines authorized an emergency state in four municipalities, unlocking emergency funds for help efforts.
The government has also mobilized response equipment and established a joint operations center.
Initial reports indicate generalized damage to houses, churches, schools, public buildings and transport infrastructure. At least two maritime ports remain non -operational and several roads are partially blocked, which hinders the delivery of help.
Humanitarian partners also report urgent needs, which include refuge, water and access.
They are preparing to distribute hygiene kits and water filtration units, while the International UN Migration Organization (IIM) is waiting to support displaced families.
Hospitals under tension
The disaster has severely impacted health services, with hospitals in northern Cebu stretched beyond the capacity and emergency medical equipment deployed from the neighboring provinces.
Saia Ma’u Piukala, Regional Director of the Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) of the Western Pacific, highlighted the impact.
“The number of deaths from the earthquake of September 30 in the province of Cebu has been mounted significantly. Hospitals report that they feel overwhelmed with injured,” he said.
“Our WHO Country Country Office is there to support the government directed by the government in the necessary way.”
Continuous replicas
More than 340 replicas have been recorded from the earthquake, which go to magnitude 4.8. The authorities warn that tremors could continue in the next few days.
The Philippines sits in the so -called “Fire Ring” of the Pacific and is very prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and typhons.
“Philippines and many of our other 37 countries and areas are vulnerable to earthquakes and other disasters as a result of geography and, more and more, the climatic crisis“Said Regional Director Piukala, urging the continuous investment in preparation.
UN solidarity
In a statement, the UN team in the Philippines expressed “deeper sympathies and unwavering solidarity” with those affected, praising lifeguards, medical staff and volunteers.