Cebu earthquake death toll rises to 79 —NDRRMC

The reported fatalities in the magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Bogo City, Cebu last September 30 increased to 79, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Friday.

In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 559 people were also injured.

A total of 747,979 people or 216,947 families in Central Visayas were affected by the earthquake.

Of the affected population, 5,079 people or 1,302 families were staying in evacuation centers, while 16,768 people or 4,192 families were taking shelter in other places.

The NDRRMC said 134,229 houses were damaged—126,934 partially and 7,295 totally. A total of 948 infrastructures worth P6,765,661 were also damaged.

Four of the 11 affected road sections as well as 13 of the 25 affected bridges remained impassable. Two of the three affected seaports remained non-operational.

Power interruptions were still experienced in 48 of the 91 affected areas. Water problems were still encountered in one of the eight affected areas. Furthermore, communication line issues were still reported in 10 of the 17 affected areas.

Classes in 116 areas and work schedules in 30 areas have been suspended due to the earthquake.

A state of calamity was declared in the entire province of Cebu.

Assistance worth P416,950,853 has been provided to the earthquake victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

The number of aftershocks following the September 30 earthquake has reached 12,704, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) as of 4 a.m. on Friday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News