Cebu earthquake aftershocks increase to 848 —PHIVOLCS

More aftershocks have been recorded after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit Bogo City, Cebu on Tuesday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Wednesday.

In an update as of 10 a.m., PHIVOLCS said that only four of the recorded aftershocks were felt, ranging from magnitude 1.4 to 4.8.

PHIVOLCS director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol earlier said that more aftershocks are expected. 

“Inaasahan natin na magkakaroon pa ng mga aftershocks in the next few days. Sometimes the aftershocks would last for several weeks,” Bacolcol said.

(We expect there will be more aftershocks in the next few days. Sometimes the aftershocksc last for several weeks.) 

“Habang tumatagal naman, bumababa ang number ng aftershocks natin, and humihina din yung magnitude,” he added.

(As time goes on, the number of aftershocks will be decreasing, and their magnitude is also decreasing.)

The PHIVOLCS official advised affected residents to consult first with experts before returning to their homes for their safety. 

“If there are visible damages sa mga istruktura kung saan sila nakatira, huwag muna silang pumasok,” he said. 

(If there are visible damage to the structures where they live, they should not go inside.)

“They have to consult their municipal or city engineers kasi kung hindi man ito totally na-damage during the main shock, baka ma-damage ito totally during a strong aftershock,” he added. 

(They have to consult their municipal or city engineers because if it wasn't totally damaged during the main shock, it could be totally damaged during a strong aftershock.)

The Department of Health (DOH) reported  on Wednesday that 63 people were killed in the earthquake.

"I'm told there are about 63 casualties already and we've sent actually four teams," Health Secretary Ted Herbosa said.

"I've actually asked our PhilHealth president to issue a similar issuance that we issued during Typhoon Haiyan wherein all of these patients will be covered on a no-balance billing with PhilHealth para pati 'yung mga casualties sa earthquake, makapunta sa private hospital and then ma-treat sila (so that the casualties can go to private hospitals to get treatment)," he added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News