Severe M6.9 earthquake hits Cebu and Leyte, central Philippines, leaving at least 69 dead
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.9 struck near Palompon, Leyte, Philippines at 13:59 UTC (21:59 LT) on September 30, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.9 at a depth of 15 km (9.3 miles). At least 69 people were killed, as of 07:00 UTC on October 1.
Epicenter of M6.9 earthquake in central Philippines at 13:59 UTC on September 29, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 12 km (7 miles) ESE of Calape (population 2 832), 17 km (11 miles) SE of Daanbantayan (population 13 439), 18 km (11 miles) NE of Bogo (population 23 562), 19 km (12 miles) E of Medellin (population 11 741), and 97 km (60 miles) NNE of Cebu City (population 964 169), Philippines.
164 000 people are estimated to have felt severe shaking, 436 000 very strong, 3 845 000 strong, and 9 715 000 moderate.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami danger from this earthquake, NWS NTWC reported at 14:10 UTC.
The USGS issued a Yellow alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. Some casualties and damage are possible, and the impact should be relatively localized. Past yellow alerts have required a local or regional level response.
Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of the Philippines’ GDP.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are a mix of vulnerable and earthquake-resistant construction. The predominant vulnerable building types are miscellaneous and those with heavy wood frame construction.
Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards, such as landslides, that may have contributed to losses.
Liquefaction triggered by this earthquake is estimated to be significant in severity and/or spatial extent, according to the USGS. The number of people living near areas that could have produced liquefaction in this earthquake is extensive.
Little or no landsliding is expected, but some landslides could have occurred in highly susceptible areas. The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides in this earthquake is limited.
The shaking caused structural damage across parts of Cebu and Leyte, damaging buildings and roads, disrupting power supply, and forcing many people into the streets.
A fire station in Bogo sustained heavy damage, with some firefighters injured, and cracks were reported on several roads. A historic stone church in Daanbantayan collapsed, and other older structures suffered significant damage. Power outages were reported in parts of Cebu province, leaving communities without electricity.
Authorities initially issued a tsunami warning for Cebu and nearby provinces, but the warning was soon lifted after no abnormal sea-level changes were observed.
According to local media and early situation reports, at least five fatalities have been recorded in Cebu province, with additional injuries reported.
Several aftershocks followed, the strongest reaching M5.2, adding to concerns about further damage to already weakened structures.
Emergency services, assisted by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), continue to assess the extent of damage.
Update
07:00 UTC, October 1
At least 69 fatalities and more than 200 injuries have been reported by 07:00 UTC on October 1. The earthquake caused widespread structural damage across Cebu and neighboring provinces, with numerous churches, bridges, and residential and commercial buildings collapsing or sustaining severe damage.
Power supply, transport routes, and grid connections across the Visayas were disrupted.
Across Cebu province as a whole, at least 63 people were killed, three government buildings were damaged, and six bridges were destroyed.
Bogo (population 88 867) recorded 30 fatalities, most of them caused by structural collapses and falling debris, with some residents reported buried in landslides triggered by the earthquake. Numerous roads were destroyed and several buildings collapsed, including branches of McDonald’s and Jollibee as well as SM Cares Housing and Condor Lodge. A McDonald’s restaurant was also heavily damaged.
In San Remigio (population 65 744), 22 people were killed when the San Remigio Sports Complex and Recreation Center collapsed during a basketball game. At least 12 fatalities were reported in Medellin (population 59 605).
Daanbantayan (population 93 502) reported the collapse of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima church, considered a national treasure, along with multiple older churches and several roads destroyed.
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) confirmed that the earthquake disconnected Leyte, Samar, and parts of Bohol from the Cebu–Negros–Panay grid. NGCP reported damage to the Daanbantayan Substation and the tripping of four 230 kV transmission lines in the Visayas. The Visayan Electric Company also reported power outages across parts of Cebu.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Selected cities exposed
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M6.9 earthquake central Philippines – USGS – September 30, 2025
2 M6.9 earthquake central Philippines – EMSC – September 30, 2025
3 Philippines quake death toll rises to 69, official says – Reuters – October 1, 2025
4 LIVE UPDATES: Magnitude 6.9 Cebu earthquake – Rappler – October 1, 2025
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