Earthquake in Central Philippines Kills at Least 69 People

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, from the Office of Civil Defense in the Philippines, said, ‘We’re still in the golden hour of our search and rescue.’

Following an earthquake people grieve next to a body bag in Bogo City, Cebu province, Philippines, on Oct. 1, 2025. AP Photo

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu Province in the central Philippines on Sept. 30, killing at least 69 people, with the death toll expected to rise.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology stated that the earthquake happened at 9:59 p.m. local time on Sept. 30 and was followed by more than 700 aftershocks overnight and into Oct. 1.

The epicenter of the earthquake was offshore, 12 miles northeast of Bogo, a city of 90,000 people.

Many of the deaths have been reported in Bogo and the surrounding towns of Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabuelan, according to the institute.

The institute briefly issued a tsunami warning and advised people to stay away from the coast in Cebu and the provinces of Leyte and Biliran, but the warning was later canceled.

Jane Abapo, from the Office of Civil Defense, citing data from the provincial disaster agency, said the death toll was 69 as of the morning of Oct. 1.

Three coast guard personnel, a firefighter, and a child were killed in San Remigio while trying to flee to safety from a basketball game in a sports complex during the earthquake, town officials said.

Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, deputy administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, said: “We’re still in the golden hour of our search and rescue. There are still many reports of people who were pinned or hit by debris.”

Thousands of residents refused to return home and chose to spend the night of Sept. 30 in fields and parks, despite occasional heavy rain.

People look at a collapsed building in Bogo City, Cebu Province, Philippines, on Oct. 1, 2025. AP Photo

Cebu Province was still recovering from Tropical Storm Bualoi, which hit the central Philippines on Sept. 26 and killed several people.

That storm knocked out power in many areas. Some of those who died drowned or were killed by falling trees.

‘Really Traumatic’

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Teresito Bacolcol said landslides were common on rain-soaked mountainsides during or just after major earthquakes.

“This was really traumatic to people. They’ve been lashed by a storm then jolted by an earthquake,” Bacolol said. “I don’t want to experience what they’ve gone through.”

Officials said the rain along with damaged bridges and roads has hampered the rescue operation.

Bogo city disaster mitigation officer Glenn Ursal said, “It’s hard to move in the area because there are hazards.”

Schools and government offices in Bogo and the surrounding area are closed, pending safety checks.

Alejandro said the government in Manila is carrying out a damage assessment before deciding whether to seek help from foreign governments.

President Assessing Damage

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised a swift response and said Cabinet secretaries were on the ground directing relief operations.

Marcos, who was distributing aid in Masbate, an island hit last week by Super Typhoon Ragasa, told reporters, “We are assessing the damage, we are assessing the needs.”

The Philippine Coast Guard sent a vessel carrying doctors and nurses to Bogo.

MaryKay L. Carlson, U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, said on X that the embassy community offers their deepest condolences to those affected.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected,” Carlson said. "We stand ready to support the Philippine government’s response as friends, partners, allies.”

Japan, Australia, and the European Union also sent condolences.

The Philippines is located on the Pacific’s so-called Ring of Fire, a region prone to both earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. It is hit by about 20 typhoons and storms every year.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.