Philippine Red Cross rescuers assist earthquake victims in Cebu, Philippines on September 30, 2025. PHILIPPINE RED CROSS

The death toll in Cebu has climbed further after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook the Philippine province late on Tuesday (September 30), triggering hundreds of aftershocks, a tsunami alert, and widespread power outages across the Visayas.

Death toll and casualties

The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office confirmed that as of 12pm (Philippine time) on Wednesday (October 1), the toll rose to 69 dead and 293 injured. Most of the fatalities were recorded in Bogo City, the epicenter of the quake. According to the office, many of the casualties in Bogo City were crushed when homes collapsed. The death toll is expected to rise further as rescue operations continued. In San Remigio, eleven people were killed, including a 10-year-old child. Among the victims were three members of the Philippine Coast Guard and one Bureau of Fire Protection personnel who were trapped when the roof of a gym collapsed during a basketball game. In Medellin, 10 people were confirmed dead. In Tabuelan, Mayor Rex Gerona confirmed two people died, including a senior citizen. Sogod reported one death.

State of calamity

The Cebu provincial government has declared of a state of calamity, as rescue efforts continued and officials rushed to deliver aid to those affected. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has vowed to provide P10,000 cash aid and burial assistance to victims' families.

Classes and offices suspended

Local governments suspended classes in all public and private schools on Wednesday (October 1), including in Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, Bogo, Santa Fe, Liloan, Talisay, and Danao. In Santa Fe, classes in all schools in the town will remain suspended until further notice, Mayor Ithamar Espinosa announced. In Bogo City, Mayor Mayel Martinez declared a suspension of work in government and private offices. “Emergency responders have been mobilized to conduct rescue operations and assist affected communities,” Martinez said, urging residents to remain calm and to stay away from tall structures and trees. In Cebu City, Mayor Nestor Archival said patients at the Cebu City Medical Center were moved outdoors as a precaution. “Please don’t panic. If there is an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911 so an ambulance can be dispatched,” he appealed. As of 12pm on Wednesday, hospital operations have partially resumed after the first floor was declared safe for use. Upper floors remained cordoned off. Archival said that Cebu City sustained minor damage, with five people injured but none in serious condition.

Strongest earthquake in Cebu

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Bogo City was the strongest ever recorded in Cebu, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) as the strongest tremor ever recorded in Cebu. The quake struck at 9:59pm (Philippine time) with its epicenter located northeast of Bogo City, according to Phivolcs. As of 12pm on Wednesday (October 1), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) monitored 379 aftershocks. The tremor sent residents rushing out of homes and high-rises, with evacuations reported in Cebu City’s IT Park and nearby business districts. Heritage structures were not spared: the façade of a centuries-old church in Bantayan Island crumbled, while the old Mactan bridge was temporarily closed for inspection. The earthquake also rattled the Miss Asia Pacific International beauty pageant in Cebu, with video showing the contestants fleeing the stage and scrambling out of the venue along with guests.

Intensity and areas affected

Phivolcs reported that the strong quake was felt across the Visayas and parts of Mindanao and Luzon: • Intensity 6: Cebu City; Villaba, Leyte • Intensity 5: Argao, Asturias, Danao City, Talisay City and Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Tacloban City, Leyte; Sipalay City, Negros Occidental; Esperanza, Masbate; Abuyog, Carigara, and Hilongos, Leyte; Ormoc City • Intensity 4: Moalboal and San Fernando, Cebu; Roxas City and Tapaz, Capiz; Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; Ubay, Bohol; Bulusan, Sorsogon; Kawayan, Biliran; Alangalang, Leyte; Palapag and Laoang, Northern Samar; Lawaan, Eastern Samar; Catbalogan City, Samar; Sogod, Southern Leyte; Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte; Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. • Intensity 3: Legazpi City, Albay; Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Tibiao, Antique; Donsol, Sorsogon; and Tibiao, Antique.

Aftershocks continue

Phivolcs has recorded 379 aftershocks as of Wednesday (October 1), ranging from magnitude 1.5 to 5.1. The strongest were felt just minutes after the main quake: • 10:24pm: magnitude 5.0 near Bogo City • 10:33pm: magnitude 5.1 near Bogo City • 10:39pm: magnitude 3.8 near Tabogon More followed past midnight, including a magnitude 4.9 tremor at 12:34am.

Price freeze

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has imposed a 60-day price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities in Cebu.

Tsunami alert issued

Phivolcs also issued a tsunami advisory for coastal communities in Cebu, Leyte, and Biliran. “The concerned public is advised to be on alert for unusual waves. People are advised to stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast… until the cancellation of this advisory,” Phivolcs warned. Boat owners were urged to move vessels away from harbors, while residents near shorelines were told to evacuate to higher ground.

Power outages and grid damage

The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed that the quake caused the separation of Leyte, Samar, and part of Bohol from the Cebu-Negros-Panay grid. Four 230kV transmission lines tripped, while damage was confirmed at the Daanbantayan Substation, close to the epicenter. “Inspection and restoration of lines in the affected areas will be in full swing as soon as the situation allows, as there are still aftershocks in the area,” NGCP said.

National and local response

The Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President have pledged aid, while the provincial government has set up an Emergency Operations Center in Danao City. Heavy equipment, including dump trucks and boom trucks, has been deployed for clearing operations in northern Cebu. As of press time, rescue efforts continue while engineers assess structural damages across the island. ICA/CAM/Expat Media
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