New Delhi, October 1(HS): Indian Embassy in Phillipines on Wednesday expressed its solidarity with the Philippines after a powerful earthquake struck central Cebu province, claiming at least 60 lives and injuring over 100 people.

Taking to X, the embassy said, “The Embassy of India extends its deepest condolences to the people affected by the earthquake in the Cebu province and to the government and people of the Philippines.”

The 6.9 magnitude tremor, triggered by a local fault line late Tuesday, caused widespread panic, forcing residents to evacuate homes and cutting off electricity in several areas.

According to officials, the epicenter was located about 17 km northeast of the coastal city of Bogo, where at least 14 fatalities were reported.The Philippines, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” frequently experiences earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Earlier in 2023, an offshore earthquake of 6.7 magnitude killed eight people, while two significant tremors in January this year caused no casualties.

Rescue and relief operations are underway as authorities continue to assess the extent of destruction in the affected regions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar