Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Strikes Central Philippines; Casualties Reported

A powerful, shallow magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck off the central Philippines late Tuesday, with the USGS measuring it at about 10 km depth near Bogo and Calape in the Visayas and producing strong shaking and multiple aftershocks. Reports of fatalities and injuries vary across outlets, with counts ranging from at least five to about 20; several sources, including local officials, say at least 19 people were killed, among them children and emergency personnel when buildings collapsed. The quake caused major structural damage — including partial collapse of historic Bantayan parish, a sports complex/gym, homes, a mall and a fire station — and triggered landslides, road cracking and widespread power outages. Rescue efforts were hampered by darkness and continuing tremors, prompting appeals for medical volunteers, heavy equipment and trauma teams as authorities searched for people trapped under rubble. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center ruled out a tsunami threat, authorities warned of continuing aftershocks and urged coastal vigilance, and damage and casualty assessments are still ongoing.