A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu Island in central Philippines, killing at least 31 people.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on the 30th (local time), a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred at about 9:59 p.m. that day in waters about 19 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, a coastal city in northern Cebu Island, Philippines. The epicenter was at 11.15 degrees north latitude and 124.14 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Authorities said at least 31 people have died and 147 were injured so far in the strong quake. In the nearby village of Medellin, more than 12 people, including residents who were sleeping at home, were trapped under collapsed houses, and in the village of San Remigio, the collapse of a basketball court wall killed three Coast Guard members, one firefighter, and one child. A landslide occurred in a mountainous area crowded with shanties.
Even after the earthquake passed, hundreds of residents reportedly spent the night outdoors, gathering in places such as a grassy area near a fire station due to the risk of dwellings collapsing. Immediately after the quake, the Philippine weather authority issued and then lifted a tsunami warning for waves up to 1 meter high.
Cebu Gov. Pamella Bariquat said on Facebook that damage in Bogo City and outlying areas "could be more severe than expected," noting the exact scale would not be known until daylight.