*

Officials warn death toll may rise as rescuers access

collapsed

buildings

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San Remigio declared state of calamity, appeals for aid

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No tsunami threat, but strong aftershocks recorded

MANILA, Oct 1 (Reuters) -

The death toll from a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in

the central Philippines has risen to 27 with more than 140

people injured, and officials on Wednesday warned the numbers

could climb further as rescuers access collapsed buildings.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu

province in the central Visayas region just before 10 p.m. (1400

GMT) on Tuesday, causing power outages and bringing down

buildings, including a church that was more than 100 years old.

Cebu province, one of the Philippines' most popular tourist

destinations, is home to 3.4 million people. Mactan-Cebu

International Airport, the country's second busiest gateway,

remained operational.

The quake struck hardest in northern Cebu, including San

Remigio, which was placed under a state of calamity to

facilitate response and relief efforts.

Alfie Reynes, vice mayor of San Remigio, appealed for food

and water for evacuees, as well as heavy equipment to aid search

and rescue workers.

"It is raining heavily and there is no electricity so we

really need help, especially in the northern part because

there's a scarcity of water after supply lines were damaged by

the earthquake," Reynes told DZMM radio.

In the neighbouring city of Bogo, near the epicenter of the

quake, hospital patients were evacuated and strong aftershocks

forced many residents to stay in evacuation centres and out on

the streets.

Earthquake monitoring agencies put the quake's depth at

around 10 km (6.2 miles) and recorded multiple aftershocks, the

strongest having a magnitude of 6. There was no tsunami threat

following the quake.

The Philippines lies in the Pacific "Ring of Fire," where

volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. The country had

two major earthquakes in January, with no casualties reported.

In 2023, a 6.7 magnitude offshore earthquake killed eight

people.