New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on Wednesday concerning the loss of life and destruction resulting from the earthquake in the Philippines. He affirmed India’s support for the Philippines during this challenging period. In a message shared on the social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the earthquake in the Philippines. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery.
India stands in solidarity with the Philippines at this difficult time.” His condolence message followed the report that 69 individuals had died due to the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu province in the central Philippines, as stated by the Philippines’ Office of Civil Defence (OCD) on Wednesday, according to Xinhua News Agency. During a public briefing, Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, Deputy Administrator for the OCD, reported that 30 fatalities occurred in Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter, with additional deaths in Medellin (10), San Remigio (22), Tabogon (5), and one each in Sogod and Tabuelan. He noted that the fatalities were caused by collapsing walls of houses and buildings.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) initially reported at least 147 injuries, though details regarding the injured and missing persons were not provided. The death toll may increase as rescue operations continue to search for survivors trapped in the debris of collapsed structures. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially recorded a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Cebu province at 9:59 pm (local time) on Tuesday, later adjusting it to 6.9 and noting it occurred at a depth of 5 kilometers. Tremors were felt across many neighboring provinces in central and parts of southern Philippines, with the institute recording over 600 aftershocks since Tuesday night.