15 Memorable Cebu City Scenes Moments After the 2013 Earthquake

On October 15, 2013, at around 8:12 am, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked Bohol and other nearby islands. Releasing an energy equivalent to 32 atomic bombs, the quake leveled heritage structures, destroyed houses, ruined roads and bridges, and displaced thousands of people. In Cebu City, the 2013 intensity 6 earthquake killed 12 people, injured around a hundred individuals, and forced more than 400,000 families to leave their homes.

Here are a few images that I took moments after the 2013 Bohol Earthquake hit Cebu City.

Hotel Guests and Workers

Guests and employees of the Mandarin Plaza Hotel converged outside after they left the hotel premises for possible aftershocks.

Residents of Barrio Luz lined the streets after the intensity 6 quake hit the city.

Hotel guests and workers had to leave their hotel buildings along Escario Street.

Foreign students left their apartments and walked to open park lots in Escario Street.

Workers and customers of Gaisano Country Mall had to remain outside following the quake.

Cebu IT Park employees waited in the shade for the signal to return to their work stations.

Damage on Properties

The earthquake damaged the building across the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

168 Hypermart along V. Rama Avenue lost one whole glass pane.

Pieces of debris cover the street in front of the old SSS building along Escario Street.

The Basilica Minore del Santo Niño’s closed its main doors. Then, they opened a temporary chapel at the school next door.

Chaos and Panic

A CITOM van was seen driving around the city and giving news updates and informing residents of proper safety measures and important contact numbers.

Heavy traffic at Fuente Osmeña just moments after the quake.

Several cracks were seen on the walls of the Magellan’s Cross, too.

Also, the lower half of Gaisano Country Mall’s skywalk collapsed on the road below.

Finally, the belfry of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño fell to the ground near the main gate.

Where were you when the 2013 earthquake hit Cebu City? What do you think about this unforgettable catastrophe? Let us know in the comments below!