Historic Philippines Church Collapses During 6.9 Magnitude Earthquake: Witness Accounts and Safety Warnings

Social media platforms are witnessing widespread sharing of footage showing a heritage church collapsing.

On Tuesday, the centuries-old Parish of Saint Peter the Apostle in Bantayan partially collapsed following a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck central Philippines. Viral footage on social media displays the historic Cebu church with its lights and portions of the exterior facade crumbling during the seismic event.

The local seismology office has issued warnings about potential "minor sea-level disturbance" and advised residents of central islands including Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran to "maintain distance from beaches and coastal areas."

The earthquake's epicenter was positioned approximately 11 kilometers (seven miles) east-southeast of Calape, a municipality in Bohol province with 33,000 residents.

⚡️Powerful M6.9 Earthquake Rocks Philippines 🇵🇭 - Tremors Knockout Lights at Church on Bantayan Island pic.twitter.com/TtVxqJH0V3

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre has clarified that no tsunami threat exists from this earthquake, stating that "no action is required."

According to AFP, Martham Pacilan, a 25-year-old resident of the resort town of Bantayan, recounted being near the church at the town square when the earthquake occurred.

"I heard a loud booming noise from the direction of the church, then I saw rocks falling from the structure. Luckily no one got hurt," he stated, adding, "I was in shock and in panic at the same time, but my body couldn't move; I was just there waiting for the shake to stop."

Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Philippines due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," an arc of intense seismic activity that extends from Japan through Southeast Asia across the Pacific basin.

While most earthquakes in the region are too weak to be felt by humans, when powerful ones strike, there is currently no technology available to predict them.