A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the england/Waleswales/Centralcentral-Waleswales/”>england/wales/Centralcentral-wales/”>central Philippines late Tuesday, leaving devastation in its wake. At least 31 people have died on Cebu Island with fears the death toll will climb higher.

Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescuers combed through collapsed buildings on Wednesday, desperately searching for survivors amid the rubble. The quake struck at 9:59 pm local time (1359 GMT) near the northern Towntown of Bogo, home to around 90,000 people.

USGS Confirms Shallow, Strong Quake

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the tremor was shallow, making it especially destructive. The region is bracing for further aftershocks as emergency Teamsteams scramble to help those affected.

 “Rescuers searched collapsed buildings for survivors Wednesday after a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake jolted the central Philippines, killing at least 31 people on The Islandthe island of Cebu with fears the toll could rise. The shallow quake struck at 9:59 pm (1359 GMT) Tuesday off The Islandthe island’s northern end near Bogo, a Citycity of 90,000 people, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).”