At least 22 dead after major earthquake hits Cebu
At least 22 people have been killed following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu.
In an interview with DZMM Teleradyo on Wednesday, Oct. 1, Alfie Reynes, the vice mayor of San Remigio, confirmed that the death toll has risen to 22.
According to Reynes, there have been aftershocks in their area until this morning.
She noted what evacuees need the most now are drinkable water and food that are easy to cook, as well as tents.
"It's raining heavily and there's no electricity so talagang we really need help here," she added. "There's scarcity of water because 'yung ibang linya ng tubig, na-damage sa pag-lindol. 'Yung [restaurants], walang nago-open kasi everyone's cleaning up, everyone evacuated. Walang tulog lahat."
ABS-CBN News reported that five people died from the quake in San Remigio town in particular, per Police Capt. Jan Ace Elcid Layug, who serves as officer-in-charge of San Remigio PNP. These include a BFP personnel, three people from the Philippine Coast Guard, and a child who got stuck in a rubble.
Citing Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong, an officer of Cebu Provincial Public Information Office, The New York Times reported that at least 37 people in Cebu have been injured due to the quake, along with the collapse of a few buildings and infrastructure including bridges.
The media outlet reported that Cebu governor Pam Baricuatro has ordered relief supplies like water and medicine for those who have been affected by the quake.
The huge quake jolted Cebu at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30. It was at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Phivolcs issued a tsunami advisory later in the evening, announcing a minor sea level disturbance and advising the public to stay away from coastal areas in Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran. It was canceled three hours later. (with reports from Reuters)
