A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines near the Eastern Visayas region on Tuesday night, sending shockwaves across Cebu and neighbouring provinces whilst dramatic footage captured a beauty pageant being halted as the building rattled.
The earthquake struck at 9:59pm local time near Bogo City in Cebu, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), with a shallow epicentre depth of just 10 kilometres.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the magnitude whilst the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced there was no tsunami threat despite the quake’s shallow depth.
Beauty Pageant Evacuated
Dramatic scenes unfolded in Cebu City as the earthquake interrupted events across the region. A beauty pageant in progress was abruptly halted as the building began to shake violently, forcing contestants and spectators to evacuate.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the moment the tremors struck, with people rushing towards exits as ceiling fixtures swayed and the structure rattled.
The incident highlighted the sudden nature of seismic events in the Philippines, where public gatherings and daily life can be disrupted without warning.
Church Partially Collapses
The Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu, reported that its structure had partially collapsed following the earthquake, marking the first significant structural damage reported.
Residents were seen evacuating shopping centres and apartment buildings across the affected regions. In Iloilo City on Panay Island, photos posted on social media showed crowds gathering outside malls and residential complexes.
Students at Visayas State University residing in on-campus dormitories also evacuated past 10pm Tuesday, with reports of widespread panic across educational institutions.
Widespread Tremors Felt
The earthquake was felt across a vast area of the central Philippines, with moderate shaking reported in several major population centres.
Ormoc City, located approximately 50 kilometres from the epicentre, likely experienced moderate to strong shaking. Other cities including Danao, Liloan, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu City all reported feeling the tremors.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) noted that based on preliminary seismic data, the quake would have been “widely felt by almost everyone in the area of the epicentre.”
Aftershocks Expected
PHIVOLCS warned that damage and aftershocks are expected in the coming days, urging residents to remain vigilant and prepared for potential secondary tremors.
Authorities emphasised that aftershocks, whilst typically less powerful than the main shock, can still cause additional damage to weakened structures and pose risks to public safety.
Local officials said no immediate reports of casualties or major damage had been received beyond the church collapse, but comprehensive inspections are underway across Cebu and neighbouring provinces.
Economic Impact Assessment
The USGS calculated a 39 per cent chance of total economic loss ranging between $10-100 million (£8-81 million) and a 23.5 per cent risk of losses between $100 million and $1 billion (£81-810 million).
Total economic loss from this earthquake is not likely to surpass $1 billion, with less than 1 per cent chance of exceeding that threshold, according to preliminary assessments.
The economic impact is expected to be moderate, with light to moderate damage to buildings and infrastructure anticipated in the most affected areas.
Ring of Fire Activity
The Philippines lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a 40,000-kilometre horseshoe-shaped belt of volcanoes and fault lines circling the Pacific Ocean where tectonic plates collide.
This zone is responsible for approximately 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes and 75 per cent of all active volcanoes on Earth, making the Philippines one of the most seismically active countries globally.
The archipelago sits at the complex intersection of several tectonic plates, including the Philippine Sea Plate, the Eurasian Plate, and the Pacific Plate, whose constant movement and interaction generate frequent seismic activity.
Philippines’ Earthquake Vulnerability
The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes daily, though most are too weak to be felt by humans. Statistically, earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 or more occur in the Philippines approximately every three years.
Since 1950, more than 4,800 people have died from direct consequences of earthquakes in the Philippines, with 24 earthquakes also triggering subsequent tsunamis that claimed additional lives.
The strongest earthquake in Philippine history was the 1976 Mindanao earthquake, which registered 8.0 on the Richter scale, resulting in 1,200 deaths and triggering a devastating tsunami.
Cebu’s Seismic Risk
Metro Cebu faces particular seismic hazards due to its location near shallow crustal fault zones in an area of ongoing compressional tectonics.
The mean peak ground acceleration for Cebu is 0.32g for a 10 per cent probability of exceedance in 50 years, indicating significant earthquake risk for the metropolitan area.
Active reverse faults in the region have zones exceeding 20 kilometres wide where peak ground acceleration can reach dangerous levels during major seismic events.
Emergency Response Mobilised
Emergency response teams have been mobilised across the affected regions, with local disaster management offices coordinating assessments of damage and potential casualties.
The Philippine Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations have been placed on standby to provide assistance to affected communities.
Hospitals in Cebu and surrounding areas have been advised to prepare for potential influx of injured residents, though no major casualties had been reported in the immediate aftermath.
Historical Context
This earthquake represents the strongest seismic event to hit the region in recent months. A 5.3-magnitude earthquake had struck approximately 184 kilometres east of Cebu City on September 9, causing minor damage.
The Tuesday night tremor’s shallow depth of 10 kilometres meant it was felt more strongly at the surface than deeper earthquakes of similar magnitude.
Shallow earthquakes pose greater risks to populated areas as the seismic energy has less distance to travel before reaching the surface, resulting in more intense ground shaking.
Government Advisory
Philippine authorities have advised residents in affected areas to check their homes and buildings for cracks or damage before re-entering, particularly in older structures that may have been weakened.
Citizens have been urged to prepare emergency kits and familiarise themselves with evacuation procedures as aftershocks are likely to continue for several days or weeks.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has activated its incident command system to coordinate response efforts across multiple provinces.
Technology and Prediction Limitations
Experts emphasised that whilst the Philippines maintains approximately 100 seismic measuring stations operated by PHIVOLCS and benefits from continuous monitoring by international agencies, no technology currently exists to predict exactly when and where earthquakes will strike.
The unpredictable nature of seismic events means that preparedness and rapid response remain the primary tools for minimising casualties and damage.
Modern earthquake monitoring systems can provide rapid alerts once tremors begin, but the random occurrence of strong earthquakes continues to pose significant challenges for disaster preparedness.
Regional Impact
The earthquake’s effects extended beyond the immediate epicentre area, with reports of tremors felt as far as Manila, 514 kilometres away, where residents likely experienced light shaking.
The tremor adds to concerns about seismic activity across Southeast Asia, where multiple tectonic plates interact in complex patterns that generate frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
International seismological agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, with data being shared in real-time to assist in understanding the earthquake’s characteristics and potential for additional seismic activity.
As dawn approaches, the full extent of damage from this significant earthquake will become clearer as inspection teams reach more remote areas and detailed assessments are completed across the affected provinces.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
