Deadliest Quake in Years Rocks Cebu: At Least 69 Fatalities Reported as North Reeling from M6.9 Tremor

Deadliest Quake in Years Rocks Cebu: At Least 69 Fatalities Reported as North Reeling from M6.9 Tremor

Ruth Pineda | CEBU, Philippines 

 6.9 magnitude earthquake in Cebu, Philippines

A powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the northern coast of Cebu late on September 30, 2025, near Bogo City, causing widespread destruction and prompting a massive relief effort across the province. The tremor, traced to a local fault line, has been cited as one of the deadliest in recent Philippine history.

As of October 1, at least 69 people were confirmed dead and about 150 injured, though local officials later reported 61 validated fatalities.

Hardest-Hit Areas in Northern Cebu

The epicenter severely impacted northern Cebu, with the towns of Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, Tabuelan, and Daanbantayan suffering the most devastation.

• Bogo City, population 90,000, reported 14 deaths and widespread collapse of homes.
• Authorities declared a state of calamity in San Remigio, Tabuelan, and other municipalities to speed up aid and emergency funding.

Widespread Damage and Service Disruptions

The quake cut power, toppled buildings, and triggered landslides, leaving communities stranded. Infrastructure losses include:

• Roads & Bridges: Three bridges collapsed, highways cracked, and landslides blocked access routes.
• Utilities: Eight cities and towns lost electricity; three had no phone service. 
• Homes & Schools: Hundreds destroyed, displacing tens of thousands of residents.
• Historic Sites: The 139-year-old Santa Rosa de Lima Church in Daanbantayan was nearly leveled.

National Emergency Response

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. immediately ordered cabinet members and disaster agencies to Cebu. The NDRRMC and the Office of Civil Defense are leading relief operations.

• The Philippine Red Cross, military, and police mobilized for evacuations and first aid.
• The Department of Energy deployed its “Energy Resiliency” task force, while the Department of Health dispatched rapid-response medical units.
• Rescue teams with K9 units worked through collapsed structures despite blocked roads and aftershocks.

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro set up a joint command center at Bogo Provincial Hospital, appealing for food, medicine, and more medical teams.

Ongoing Threat from Aftershocks

Officials warned residents to remain vigilant as 379 aftershocks—some as strong as magnitude 5–6—were recorded within 24 hours.

President Marcos Jr. extended condolences, stating:

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, and my prayers include the safety of the injured and all those affected by the earthquake.”

As Cebu struggles with grief and displacement, the focus is shifting toward long-term aid and recovery—restoring homes, schools, power, and water while communities endure continuing tremors.