At least 69 people have been killed and dozens injured after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late on Tuesday.
The province of Cebu, which suffered the brunt of the damage, declared a state of calamity early on Wednesday, after thousands spent the night on the streets amid repeated aftershocks.
One Cebu resident told the BBC he was among them, adding that power and water supplies were cut off. He says the voices of crying children could be heard around him, adding that they were traumatized.
The earthquake comes barely more than a week after the country was hit by back-to-back typhoons which killed more than a dozen people.
Most of the victims were from Bogo city, the town closest to the earthquake's epicenter, where scenes of chaos unfolded as injured individuals were treated in makeshift medical facilities. Images coming out of Bogo show cadaver bags lined the streets and hundreds being treated in tent hospitals.
The local authorities have appealed for volunteers with medical experience to help deal with injuries. Accessible roads have been compromised due to buckling and crackling, further complicating the emergency response.
Seven of those who perished in Tuesday's earthquake had lived in villages built as shelters for Typhoon Haiyan survivors, emphasizing the compounded disaster residents face.
Efforts are underway by national police and fire services to prioritize search and rescue operations, restore electricity, and deliver relief supplies to affected areas.
As the situation continues to evolve, Cebu's archbishop has advised parishioners to stay away from churches until structural assessments are conducted. In a region rich with historic churches, this precaution highlights the potential for future risks.
The Philippines is situated on the geologically unstable Ring of Fire and is frequently subject to such calamitous events, stressing the need for robust disaster preparation and response strategies.
