Death toll from a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines has risen to 31, with over 140 people injured. The quake struck off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu province just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing as officials warn that the death toll may increase as teams access collapsed structures.

The earthquake's epicentre was located approximately 19 kilometres northeast of Bogo, a city with a population of about 90,000. Reports indicate that 14 fatalities occurred in Bogo, while 12 were recorded in the nearby town of Medellin. In San Remigio, five individuals, including three coast guard personnel, lost their lives due to collapsing walls while trying to escape a basketball game.

Cebu provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro stated that the local hospital in Bogo has been overwhelmed with patients suffering serious injuries. "Because of the high volume of patients with serious injuries, the medical staff tended to some of them outside the hospital," she noted.

The earthquake caused power outages across the region, forcing many residents to evacuate into the darkness. Alfie Reynes, vice mayor of San Remigio, appealed for food and water for evacuees, highlighting the damage to water supply lines. "It is raining heavily and there is no electricity so we really need help, especially in the northern part because there’s a scarcity of water after supply lines were damaged by the earthquake," he said.

Dramatic footage showed an old Catholic church in Bantayan town swaying before its belfry collapsed. Many residents reported feeling intense shaking, with some describing the experience as terrifying. "I heard a loud booming noise from the direction of the church then I saw rocks falling from the structure. Luckily no one got hurt," said Martham Pacilan, who witnessed the incident.

Rescue efforts have been complicated by aftershocks, with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recording 379 aftershocks, the strongest being a magnitude of 6.0. The quake also damaged numerous buildings, including a fire station and a fast food restaurant in Bogo.

Cebu province, a popular tourist destination, is home to 3.4 million people. Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the second busiest in the country, remains operational. The region is known for its seismic activity, lying on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where earthquakes are common.

As recovery efforts continue, local authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage and injuries. Governor Baricuatro expressed concern, stating, "It could be worse than we think."