The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded a total of 8,298 aftershocks on Tuesday morning across northern Cebu, where more than 600,000 residents have been uprooted after a powerful tremor struck the province last week.
As of 8:00 a.m. on October 7, Phivolcs said at least 34 of the 1,556 plotted aftershocks were felt. The magnitudes ranged from 1.0 to 5.1. The strongest aftershock on Tuesday was magnitude-4.3 which struck at 9:29 a.m. It was traced 18 kilometers southeast of Bogo City, the quake’s epicenter.
According to the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) situation report, the tremor displaced 611,624 individuals in 221 barangays, with local government units continuing to assess the extent of damage and its effects on communities.
Authorities said 39,806 sustained partial to total damage in public infrastructures, noting that power interruptions and road blockages hampered early response operations across several towns.
While aftershocks have been recorded, authorities assured that these pose no significant threats, but urged the public to remain cautious and follow safety advisories. Official death toll from the quake stood at 72 with 559 injured.
Relief operations continue throughout Cebu, which remains under a state of calamity. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Visayas also rendered psychosocial services to the victims, especially the children, and organized wellness activities.
