OVERVIEW: On 30 September 2025 at 2059 HRS UTC+7, a M6.9 (corrected from M.6.7) Earthquake with a depth of 5 km occurred offshore near Bogo City, Cebu, the Philippines. The earthquake’s epicentre is located at 11.10°N, 124.14°E, 19 km from Bogo City.
ANALYSIS:Based on the preliminary data, earthquakes of this depth and magnitude are expected to result in moderate to severe shaking in the affected area (DMRS). The earthquake was tectonic in origin and recorded a highest instrumental intensity of VII, experienced in Bogo City, Daanbantayan, Medellin, San Remigio, and Tabuelan (Cebu); and Intensity VI was reported in Murcia (Negros Occidental), and Bantayan, Borbon, Catmon, and Sogod (Cebu), the Philippines (PHIVOLCS).
AFTERSHOCKS: As of 1 October at 1110 HRS UTC+7, more than 260 aftershocks have been recorded by PHIVOLCS, with the strongest aftershock recorded at M4.8.
IMPACTS AND DAMAGES: as of Situation Report #1 on 1 October 2025 at 0700 HRS UTC+7 (NDRRMC)
- 26 dead (for validation) and 147 injured (for validation).
- A total of 1 road sections (still not passable) and 5 bridges (3 still not passable) were affected.
- A total of 8 cities/municipalities experiencing power supply interruption.
- A total of 3 cities/municipalities experiencing communication line interruption.
EXPOSURE: According to preliminary data, initial estimates indicate that 9.15 Million people, 2.21 Million households, and $45.7 Billion (USD) of infrastructure* are concentrated within the affected area. Severe impact to lifelines (power, communication, transportation) is likely (DMRS).
RESPONSE EFFORTS:
NDRRMOC maintains RED alert while responding to the effects of TCs MITAG, RAGASA, BUALOI, and also coordinating the response to the earthquake in Cebu.
- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 7 Government Command and Control Centre has also been placed on Red Alert, with the virtual EOC activated to facilitate coordination. Air assets have been requested to conduct aerial surveys on 1 October.
- Evacuations have been carried out in buildings, hospitals, and other critical facilities, while work and classes have been suspended as part of precautionary measures during the ongoing damage assessments. Search, Rescue, and Retrieval (SRR) operations, along with debris clearing and further assessments, are actively underway.
- Following assessments, the Department of Transportations announced that all airports and seaports remain safe and fully operational.
- The Philippine Air Force’s Tactical Operations Wing Central (TOWCEN) airlifted HADR personnel from the Army’s 53rd Engineer Brigade to Bogo City. Two S-70i Blackhawk helicopters from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing were deployed for the rapid transport of responders.
- The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) deploys BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) to Cebu, carrying doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel with emergency equipment from Manila to aid earthquake-affected communities. Scheduled departure is at 1200H UTC+7 today.
On 1 October 2025, the AHA Centre conveyed a letter of sympathy and offered assistance to the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in support of emergency response efforts following the M6.9 Earthquake in Cebu.
The AHA Centre continues to closely monitor developments in coordination with NDRRMC-OCD, and remains on standby should the Government of the Philippines welcome assistance from ASEAN.
DATA SOURCES
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS);
Philippines: NDRRMC-OCD, PHIVOLCS;
Verified news media agencies
