Manila: A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the central Philippines late Tuesday night, leaving at least 69 dead and more than 140 injured, according to local officials. Emergency services are racing to rescue survivors as affected communities reel from the destruction.

The quake hit at 9:59 pm local time, 12 miles northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province, which is located in the Visayas region. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometres, a level that amplifies destruction because the seismic energy reaches the surface with greater intensity.

Four aftershocks of magnitude 5 or higher were recorded following the initial quake. Residents across Cebu, Leyte and Biliran felt strong shaking. A tsunami alert was issued for the region but was later

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