At least 69 dead after M6.9 earthquake hits Cebu and Leyte, central Philippines
A powerful M6.9 earthquake hit Cebu and Leyte, Philippines, at 21:59 local time (13:59 UTC) on September 30, 2025, leaving at least 69 dead and more than 200 injured. Authorities reported extensive structural collapses in towns across Cebu and transport disruption in Leyte.
Damage at the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines following M6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025. Credit: Juan Carlo de Vela/SunStar Cebu
The epicenter was located 12 km (7 miles) ESE of Calape (population 2 832), 17 km (11 miles) SE of Daanbantayan (population 93 502), 18 km (11 miles) NE of Bogo (population 88 867), 19 km (12 miles) E of Medellin (population 59 605), and 97 km (60 miles) NNE of Cebu City (population 964 169).
Cebu province sustained the majority of casualties and damage. In Bogo (population 88 867), 30 people were killed, as of 07:00 UTC on October 1, most from structural collapses and falling debris, with reports of some residents buried in landslides.
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. Medellin (population 59 605) reported 12 fatalities.
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. Bantayan (population 86 247) reported the collapse of three structures, including churches on Bantayan Island.
Tabuelan (population 28 907) confirmed one fatality, a landslide, and numerous damaged roads and collapsed churches. Tabogon (population 41 432) recorded one fatality and the destruction of a bridge. Sogod (population 40 610) also reported one fatality.
In Consolacion (population 153 931), a fire broke out at SM Consolacion mall following the earthquake.
Across Cebu province overall, at least 63 fatalities were confirmed, three government buildings were damaged, and six bridges destroyed.
In Leyte province, a landslide in Villaba (population 41 891) blocked a major road and disrupted transportation.
PHIVOLCS issued a tsunami advisory, warning of minor sea-level disturbances and strong currents, prompting evacuations along coastal areas of Leyte. In Biliran (population 179 312), coastal communities were also placed under evacuation advisories.
Widespread power outages were reported in Iloilo City (population 457 626).
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 outages across parts of Cebu.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), and local governments are conducting assessments of damage and secondary hazards, including landslides and liquefaction, in affected areas.
Damage and casualty figures remain preliminary as authorities continue search and rescue operations.
By 07:00 UTC on October 1, 611 aftershocks with magnitudes up to M5.2 had been recorded.
Chief of the Seismology Division at PHIVOLCS, Winchelle Sevilla, stated that the epicenter of the earthquake had not experienced a significant event like that in the last 400 years. Most of them were M4 and below, Sevilla said.
According to PHIVOLCS, at least eight significant earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5 to 7.2 hit Cebu and nearby provinces between 1885 and 2013, with the most recent damaging ones recorded as M6.9 in Negros Oriental on February 6, 2012, and M7.2 in Bohol on October 15, 2013.
References:
1 Severe M6.9 earthquake hits Cebu and Leyte, central Philippines, leaving at least 69 dead – The Watchers – September 30, 2025
2 M6.9 earthquake central Philippines – USGS – September 30, 2025
3 M6.9 earthquake central Philippines – EMSC – September 30, 2025
4 Philippines quake death toll rises to 69, official says – Reuters – October 1, 2025
5 LIVE UPDATES: Magnitude 6.9 Cebu earthquake – Rappler – October 1, 2025
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