Casualties reported in Philippines after strong earthquake sparks panic

Manila [Philippines], October 1: A strong earthquake jolted the central Philippines on Wednesday evening, toppling old buildings, sending people fleeing in panic and leaving an undetermined number of casualties, local media reported. The quake measured magnitude 6.9, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said. Its epicentre was offshore near Bogo City in Cebu province, about 512 kilometres south of Manila. "This is considered a very strong earthquake," Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said in a radio interview. "We are expecting damage, and we are expecting aftershocks." Videos on social media showed structures collapsing, including two churches in Cebu province, and crowds running in panic at a Cebu City public market. Dozens of patients in a Cebu hospital were evacuated and are now staying outdoors. Local media reported "multiple deaths" in San Remigio town in Cebu province, where a basketball game was being held at a sports complex when the quake struck.
Source: Qatar Tribune