Overview

• USGS measured a powerful earthquake of about 6.9 magnitude striking the central Philippines near the Cebu/Eastern Visayas region.
• Philippine authorities say the death toll has reached at least 69 with hundreds injured as rescuers deploy sniffer dogs, backhoes and military support.
• Samantha Markle initially posted on X that her father was stuck on the 19th floor of a building and unable to walk after the quake.
• She later told followers he was OK and planning to leave the building, noting efforts to avoid a similar situation in the future.
• Thomas Markle told TMZ he was safe in a hotel roughly 100 miles from the epicenter, said he was not trapped, and indicated he had not spoken to Samantha.