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 told the BBC he was among them, adding that power and water supplies were cut off. He says the voices of crying children could be heard around him, adding that they were traumatized.
This earthquake comes barely more than a week after the country faced back-to-back typhoons which resulted in more than 20 fatalities.
Most of the earthquake victims were from Bogo, a small town closest to the earthquake's epicenter. Bogo is now filled with distressing images of body bags lined on the streets and hundreds receiving treatment in makeshift tent hospitals.
Local authorities have appealed for volunteers with medical experience as injuries continue to rise and blocked access due to damaged roads hampers emergency services.
The continuous aftershocks have added to the chaos, with another measuring 4.7 occurring on Wednesday evening. As rescue operations proceed, officials are prioritizing restoring electricity and delivering relief supplies to those impacted.
Cebu's archbishop has advised believers to refrain from visiting churches until structural evaluations can clear them safe, given that many older buildings were affected during the tremors.
The Philippines, situated in the geologically active "Ring of Fire," is particularly vulnerable to seismic activities, and the recent loss of life serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by natural disasters in the region.
