ANKARA

Aftershocks continued to haunt the already panicked citizens days after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake jolted the Philippines' Cebu province as the death toll from the tremor jumped to 72.

Some 294 people have been injured by the powerful earthquake that struck on Monday night, causing extensive damage to local infrastructure, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Office of the Civil Defense said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. arrived in Cebu on Wednesday morning to assess the situation and to provide guidance to the heads of government agencies, local officials, and responders involved in the ongoing response operations, ensuring the immediate implementation of critical interventions.

Cebu has been placed under a state of calamity, with several other localities also following suit. A total of 53 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity.

Over 170,000 people have been affected, with 20,000 displaced by the earthquake, in addition to damage to some 600 houses.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), around 2,329 aftershocks, with an intensity of as high as magnitude 5, have been recorded as of Thursday morning across the province.

Phivolcs warned the public of possible landslides and falling objects when they venture out.

“In case of another strongly felt earthquake, it is recommended that people protect themselves by doing the "drop, cover, and hold." In homes and offices, heavy furniture and appliances should be strapped to the walls, and hanging objects securely fastened to avoid causing injuries,” the agency said in a statement.

*Writing by Aamir Latif