Cebu quake death toll rises to 60 - OCD

Metro Manila, Philippines - The death toll from the powerful Cebu earthquake has reached 60 as authorities continue to conduct search and rescue missions on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

In its briefing, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said casualties from the deadly quake were mostly from Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio.

Among the fatalities were three personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard, who were crushed after the San Remigio Sports Complex collapsed. They were pronounced dead at the Bogo General Hospital.

OCD Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said many of the victims died due to fallen debris.

“We have been receiving reports na meron pang mga na-trap [there were people still trapped],” Alejandro said, adding they are waiting for the rapid assessment of their regional office.

“We’re still in the golden hour that we can still save more lives,” Alejandro said.

The magnitude 6.9 tremor struck waters 19 kilometers off Bogo City at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday. It had a depth of five kilometers.

Experts recorded an Intensity VII in Bogo, Daantabayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabuelan.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended condolences to families who have lost their loved ones, and assured national government agencies are augmenting local efforts. 

Alejandro said authorities have facilitated the safe transfer of patients from the overwhelmed district hospital of Bogo to nearby medical facilities.

As of 8 a.m., the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said there were at least 147 injured individuals.

Alejandro said the OCD continues to assess how many affected locals need to be in evacuation centers as many remain in open spaces.

Cebu was placed under a state of calamity to access quick response funds.