Manila – A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines on September 30, 2025, at 9:59 PM local time, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 150, according to local authorities. The quake, centered 19 km west of Palompon in Cebu province, Eastern Visayas, caused extensive damage, collapsing walls of buildings and turning city centers into ghost towns. In Bogo City, rescuers used backhoes and sniffer dogs to search for survivors amid rubble, with survivors sleeping in fields fearing tsunamis and landslides. Heavy rainfall has hampered rescue efforts, exacerbating the crisis in a region still recovering from Typhoon Gaemi in July.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported the quake’s shallow depth of 10 km intensified its impact, with tremors felt across Leyte, Cebu, and neighboring islands. No tsunami warning was issued, but officials urged vigilance for aftershocks. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a state of calamity in affected areas, mobilizing emergency aid and military support. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.