A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens, with Cebu province hardest hit.

Thousands spent the night outdoors amid repeated aftershocks, and power and water supplies were cut off. Bogo, closest to the epicenter, saw significant destruction, with body bags on streets and hundreds treated in makeshift hospitals.

Roads and bridges were damaged, complicating emergency response, while authorities appealed for medical volunteers.

Some victims lived in villages rebuilt after Typhoon Haiyan 12 years ago.

Cebu experienced additional aftershocks, and authorities warned residents to stay away from old churches pending structural assessments, the BBC has reported.

The Philippines, located on the seismically active “Ring of Fire” and prone to typhoons, has faced multiple disasters recently, including back-to-back typhoons that killed over 20 people last month.