Negros Oriental Earthquake - Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Kills 49 in Visayas Region!

The Visayan region particularly Negros Oriental was hit by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Monday, February 6.

The earthquake, with the epicenter between the islands of Negros and Cebu, killed at least 49 people - 29 died in a landslide in Moog, Barangay Planas in Guihulngan City, 2 died in Tayasan town, 1 was killed in Bindoy, another 1 died in Jimalalod, 16 other died in other parts of the city while 40 are reportedly missing in Barangay Planas all in Negros Oriental.

The earthquake also damaged bridges in the province, according to reports.

Meanwhile, strong aftershocks struck Negros Oriental and some parts of the Visayas on Monday night. Aftershocks which registered 6.2 on the readings of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) hit at 6:10 p.m. in an area 60 kilometers north-northest of Dumaguete City.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), on the other hand, has recorded 157 aftershocks in the area, as of Monday night.

Tsunami alert level 2 which was earlier issued for coastal areas in Negros and Cebu has been immediately canceled.

Photos: abs-cbnnews.com