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 said 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.