Tremor Tears Down Historical Churches in Cebu, Bohol

The province of Cebu, Bohol including the neighboring provinces were rocked by a 7.2- magnitude earthquake on Tuesday resulting to the death of at least 20 people and damage to properties and several structures including centuries-old churches.

Civil Defense Office spokesperson Reynaldo Balido said at least 15 of the fatalities were from Cebu, four of these were victims from Pasil Fish Port, which portion collapsed following the tremor.

Balido said other fatalities were from Bohol, while at least 40 were reported injured. He said they have yet to get the names of the victims.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said classes from Cebu City schools will be suspended on Wednesday, October 16, while the city engineering office will do ocular inspection of the school buildings.

Department of Education 7 (DepEd) director Carmelita Dulangon likewise said she has already ordered district superintendents to check their respective schools before letting the students come in.

In Cebu City, the Basilica del Santo Niño’s bell tower facade fell off prompting the management to fence the area to prevent parishioners from getting near the damaged structure as debris may still be falling apart.

The nearby Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral also sustained damage, causing it to be closed temporarily while the nature of the destruction is still being assessed.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the epicenter of the quake, which was recorded at 8:13 am, was in Carmen, Bohol.

As of 12:30 pm on Tuesday, at least 110 aftershocks were felt in Cebu.