Cebu earthquake aftershocks reached over 12,000 —PHIVOLCS

The number of aftershocks following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu last September 30 increased to 12,079 as of Tuesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said.

In its 8 a.m. update, PHIVOLCS said 46 of these aftershocks were felt. Their strength ranged from magnitude 1.0 to 5.8.

PHIVOLCS chief Dr. Teresito Bacolcol earlier advised affected residents to consult first with experts before returning to their homes as a safety precaution.

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

(If there is 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 reported death toll in the earthquake is 75, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Monday.

A total of 94,844 houses were damaged—89,224 partially and 5,620 were totally destroyed. –VAL, GMA Integrated News