Cebu earthquake: 69 dead, 147 injured, P2 billion worth of damages

At least 69 people have died and 147 are injured after the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV told PTV that the Sept. 30 earthquake caused 30 casualties in Bogo City, 22 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, five in Tabogon, and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan.

Alejandro said that this was still subject to validation and verification.

"Ang marami diyan 'yung naipit at nahulugan ng debris, which caused their deaths," he said.

Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said that as of Oct. 1 afternoon, the earthquake caused an estimated P2 billion worth of damage.

"The initial cost for roads and bridges wala pa yung hospitals, schools, 'yung port. As of this afternoon, [it] is roughly P2 billion. Pero we will expect na tataas pa ‘yang number na yan," he said in a press briefing in Cebu.

Dizon has also directed building officials to immediately conduct assessments and inspections of structures within their respective jurisdictions.

At least 15 tourists were reported stranded to the Department of Tourism, 14 of whom are domestic tourists. 

"Six of them have already checked out of their hotels, while the remainder are being processed and assisted," Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said.

One foreign tourist has opted to remain in Bogo City.

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake rocked Cebu on Sept. 30, with an epicenter 19 kilometers off Bogo City.

The coast guard deployed a vessel carrying doctors, nurses and other medical personnel bound for Bogo. The crew loaded boxes of medical supplies and sacks of equipmenton board.

The government advised visitors to Cebu, among the Philippines' most popular tourist destinations, to remain on alert. Cebu's international airport, the country's second busiest, remained operational.

Marcos promises swift help

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured survivors of swift assistance.

"We are assessing the damage, we are assessing the needs," he told reporters.

Mariano Martinez, mayor of San Remigio close to Bogo, said there were at least 11 casualties in the area, with victims as young as 12 and the death toll expected to climb.

Vice Mayor Alfie Reynes said among the victims were people playing basketball in a sports complex that partially collapsed. She appealed for food, water and heavy equipment. (with additional reports from Adrian Portugal, Eloisa Lopez / REUTERS)