Philippines: Major 7.2 magnitude earthquake strikes Bohol, dozens reported dead

A powerful earthquake registering at 7.2 magnitude on the Richter scale struck just southeast of the city of Carmen in the heart of Bohol province in the Visayas, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Bohol earthquake map
Image/Phivolcs

The major tremor occurred Tuesday morning in the Philippine province, reportedly killing 49 in Bohol and the neighboring island of Cebu.

CNN reports at least 15 were killed in the city of Cebu, four were killed in the province of Bohol and one died in the province of Siquijor, according to a Philippines Office of Civil Defense source.

The major quake was felt at Intensity VII at Tagbilaran, Bohol and at Intensity III as far away as Davao City.

The earthquake struck at the beginning of the Muslim religious festival of Eid ul Adha, a national holiday on the archipelago.

Seven hours after the initial quake, Phivolcs reports recording some 241 aftershocks, with the strongest aftershock measured at magnitude 4.8 quake that struck Tagbilaran a full four hours after the initial tremor.

According to the Richter Magnitude Scale, a earthquake registering between 7.0-7.9 is considered a major earthquake. The typical effects of a major earthquake Causes damage to most buildings, some to partially or completely collapse or receive severe damage. Well-designed structures are likely to receive damage. Felt across great distances with major damage mostly limited to 250 km from epicenter. Death toll ranges from none to 250,000.

There are between 10-20 such quakes recorded annually worldwide.

The Philippines lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which causes the country to have frequent seismic and volcanic activity. Much larger numbers of earthquakes of smaller magnitude occur very regularly due to the meeting of major tectonic plates in the region.