BOGO CITY, Philippines — The death toll from the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck central Philippines has climbed to 72, officials confirmed on Thursday. The quake, which hit late Tuesday night, devastated parts of Cebu province, leaving hundreds injured and tens of thousands displaced.

Rescue teams recovered bodies from collapsed buildings in Bogo City, the epicenter of the quake, including a hotel where three victims were found overnight. More than 294 people have been reported injured, and nearly 600 homes were destroyed, forcing many residents to sleep in the streets amid ongoing aftershocks.

President Ferdinand Marcos visited the affected areas to oversee relief efforts, as local authorities appealed for urgent aid—food, water, clothing, and temporary shelter. With no missing persons currently reported, search operations are winding down, shifting focus to recovery and rebuilding.

The quake is one of the deadliest to hit the Philippines in recent years, a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerability along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”