A deadly 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu in the central Philippines, killing at least 69 people and injuring dozens more. Dramatic footage captured the moment a church bell tower collapsed on Bantayan Island, sending debris crashing to the ground. Authorities have declared a state of calamity as power lines, roads, and bridges remain damaged, leaving thousands displaced. Search and rescue operations continue amid repeated aftershocks.
Also on Vantage Shots:
-In Ibiza, a man drifts on an inflatable mattress as torrential rains inundate the Spanish island.
-In Alaska, a bear with a fractured jaw takes the crown as the state’s fattest bear champion.
-On this day in 1918, Arab forces captured Damascus from the Ottoman Empire during the final stages of World War I. Among them was British officer T. E. Lawrence, who had worked closely with Emir Faisal’s army, helping to plan and coordinate guerrilla tactics throughout the Arab Revolt. His exploits in the campaign elevated him to legendary status, earning him the enduring name “Lawrence of Arabia”.