Quake kills at least 93 in central Philippines, destroys Centuries-old churches
October 15, 2013: A magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked the central Philippines on Tuesday,
killing at least 93 people and destroying houses, government buildings, and centuries-old
churches. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's epicenter was under the
island province of Bohol.
Fatalities and numerous injuries have occurred in
both Bohol and Cebu provinces, according to officials. The earthquake was also felt
in the island provinces of Negros Oriental, Southern Leyte, and several areas of Leyte
and Samar.
Many buildings were damaged in the quake which struck at 8.12am
local time, officials said. "We are expecting the number of casualties to rise as
we continue to receive reports from the field," Rey Balido, spokesman of the National
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said.
At least four people
were killed in Cebu city when a slab of concrete fell from a building onto the main
market, while several other people, including a child, were killed in a stampede,
according to local news reports. Bishop Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran said the tremor
"was so strong" and caused "real damage" to structures.
He said the diocese
is still assessing the damage to churches but Spanish-era churches in the towns of
Loon and Carmen collapsed. At least two people were reported trapped inside the Loon
church, the bishop added. Reports said the Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
in Baclayon, considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines, was also heavily
damaged.In Cebu City, the earthquake damaged the Basilica of the Holy Child.
Bohol
Governor Edgar Chatto said in a television interview that authorities are still determining
the extent of the damage and casualties as aftershocks continued. Air carriers Cebu
Pacific and AirAsia Philippines suspended flights to and from Tagbilaran City and
Cebu. The Philippines forms part of what is known as the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a
region vulnerable to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.