Background on the Event and Key Figures
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck central Philippines on Tuesday evening, resulting in at least 31 fatalities and over a hundred injuries. The disaster occurred near the coast of Cebu, close to Bogo, a city with a population of 90,000. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 147 injuries across central islands, with 22 buildings suffering damage.
Pamela Baricuatro, the provincial governor, specified that the Bogo hospital accounted for 25 deaths. Due to the large number of critically injured patients, medical staff tended to some outside the hospital.
Immediate Impact and Rescue Operations
The earthquake caused significant damage to buildings, including in Cebu City, 100 kilometers south of Bogo. Jayford Maranga, a 21-year-old online shoe retailer, sought refuge under a restaurant table to avoid being struck by the collapsing metal roof of a mall.
The Cebu provincial government urged volunteers to assist in rescue efforts through their official Facebook page, acknowledging the possibility of people trapped under collapsed structures. Rescue worker Wilson Ramos stated that ongoing work in San Remigio and Bogo suggests there might be missing persons, though the exact number remains unknown.
Rescue operations during the night faced challenges due to darkness and 379 aftershocks reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. Road damages and power outages affected Cebu and nearby central islands, though electricity was partially restored in crucial areas shortly after midnight.
Extent of Damage
The Philippines, situated along the Ring of Fire—an area of intense seismic activity stretching from Japan to Southeast Asia and crossing the Pacific Ocean—frequently experiences earthquakes. This geographical position makes the country prone to such seismic events.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Pamela Baricuatro? Pamela Baricuatro is the governor of Cebu province in the Philippines.
- What is the Ring of Fire? The Ring of Fire is a region of intense seismic activity encircling the Pacific Ocean, stretching from Japan to Southeast Asia.
- Why are there frequent earthquakes in the Philippines? The Philippines’ location along the Ring of Fire makes it susceptible to earthquakes due to its position on the Pacific Plate’s boundary.
