Rescue workers in the Philippines are racing against time as hundreds of aftershocks continue to rattle the disaster-stricken region, hampering efforts to reach survivors and raising fears that the death toll will climb further. The initial earthquake, which struck the northern island of Luzon on Wednesday, has left at least 50 people dead and hundreds more injured, with many still unaccounted for.
The quake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, caused widespread damage to buildings, roads, and bridges. Entire communities have been levelled, and landslides have buried villages in remote mountainous areas. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology has recorded more than 400 aftershocks, some strong enough to cause further damage and trigger panic among survivors.
In the city of Baguio, a popular tourist destination, hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured. Many patients are being treated in makeshift tents outside as buildings are deemed unsafe. Bags of rice, bottled water, and medical supplies are being distributed, but aid workers report that roads are impassable in several districts.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared a state of calamity in the hardest-hit provinces, freeing up funds for relief and reconstruction. He visited the affected area today, promising government support. "We are doing everything we can to rescue those still trapped and to help those who have lost their homes," he said.
The Philippines lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for seismic and volcanic activity. Earthquakes are common, but the strength of this tremor and the subsequent aftershocks have caught many off guard. Scientists warn that more aftershocks are likely in the coming days and weeks.
For the families of the missing, the waiting is agonising. Maria Santos, a mother of two from the town of Abra, has not heard from her husband since the earthquake struck. "I am trying to stay strong for my children, but I don't know if he is alive or dead," she said, weeping. "The aftershocks terrify us. We are sleeping outside because we are too scared to go back inside our home."
The international community has begun to respond. The United Nations has pledged humanitarian assistance, and neighbouring countries including Japan, China, and Australia have offered search and rescue teams. The UK government has announced an initial £1 million in aid.
But for those on the ground, it is a race against time. With the threat of more aftershocks and the possibility of a larger quake, rescue operations are precarious. Heavy rains forecast for the weekend could trigger further landslides, complicating efforts.
This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
