A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Bogo City, Cebu on Tuesday night, Sept. 30, shaking parts of the Visayas.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that the quake occurred at 9:59 p.m., with its epicenter located 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo City at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Instrumental intensities of Intensity VI were recorded in Cebu City and Villaba, Leyte, while Intensity III was felt in San Fernando, Cebu, and Intensity II in Laoang, Northern Samar.
Although initial reports indicated no damage or aftershocks, Phivolcs warned that structural damage was likely and advised the public to remain alert and follow earthquake safety protocols.
Among the structures affected was the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Daanbantayan, Cebu, which sustained major damage.
In a Facebook post, the church announced that it had partially collapsed, describing the event as heartbreaking.
Despite the damage, photos showed that the Blessed Sacrament and the Retablo image of Santa Rosa remained intact.
The church called for prayers from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu and the rest of the Philippines, especially for communities in Daanbantayan, Medellin, Bogo City, and San Remigio.
The tremor, which some reports described as a 6.3-magnitude event near Daanbantayan and Medellin, caused widespread fear, sending residents rushing out of their homes across the region. (Jel Santos, Tristan Lozano)
