Comox Valley resident Donna Cloutier was at the epicentre of an earthquake that killed nearly 100 people in the Philippines.
The 7.2-magnitude quake struck the island of Bohol in the central part of the country Tuesday morning. People were also killed in the province of Cebu.
Cloutier, an accountant at Pateman & Company in Courtenay, was not injured.
The Courtenay Rotarian has been volunteering with the non-profit Rotaplast International, which involves reconstructive surgeries. In the Philippines' mission, Rotaplast volunteers had been performing cleft lip and palate surgeries.
The earthquake damaged many roads and bridges, hampering rescue operations. A number of historic churches were also damaged.
Cloutier was at a hospital where patients and volunteers were safely evacuated. Makeshift wards were set up in a vacant lot.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com