Search and rescue efforts in the earthquake-affected province of Cebu have come to an end, according to Philippine authorities on Thursday. The 72-person death toll is not anticipated to rise much more, and all missing persons have been found.
Delivering help to survivors of the 6.9-magnitude earthquake—the biggest to strike the nation in almost a decade—has suddenly taken center stage.
The earthquake, which struck waters off the central island of Cebu late Tuesday, has left over 20,000 people homeless and injured over 300 more.
In an attempt to comfort refugees, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. traveled to Bogo, the most severely hit city with a population of about 90,000. He noted that relief efforts had been challenging because of extensive infrastructure damage.
