At least 69 people have been killed and dozens injured after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late on Tuesday.
The province of Cebu, which suffered the brunt of the damage, declared a state of calamity early on Wednesday, after thousands spent the night on the streets amid repeated aftershocks.
One Cebu resident described a traumatic night without power or water, as cries of children echoed through the streets.
This earthquake follows closely on the heels of back-to-back typhoons that claimed more than a dozen lives last week.
Most victims were from Bogo City, close to the earthquake's epicenter. Images show bodies lined on the streets and overwhelmed medical tents setting up to treat the injured as emergency services navigate damaged infrastructure.
Seven victims had previously resided in a village for those displaced by Typhoon Haiyan, which devastated the region 12 years ago.
At the time of the quake, a local basketball game was underway, resulting in several injuries and at least one fatality.
Authorities are prioritizing search and rescue operations, working to restore essential services, and delivering aid to affected communities.
Aftershocks, including one with a magnitude of 4.7, continued to shake the region on Wednesday evening, although no further casualties were reported.
Bogo's mayor emphasized the need for medical volunteers as emergency response teams faced challenges reaching affected neighborhoods due to fallen debris and disabled roadways.
The archbishop of Cebu has advised residents to avoid churches until they can be structurally assessed, as many significant heritage sites remain at risk following the quake.
The Philippines, situated in a geologically active region known as the Ring of Fire, faces all-too-frequent natural disasters. The recent typhoons illustrate the ongoing vulnerability of the nation, raising alarms amidst the aftermath of the earthquake.
