At least 69 people have been killed after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cebu province in the central Philippines late on Tuesday, collapsing homes, roads and public buildings in a region still reeling from a deadly storm just days earlier.
Officials said 14 people died in the coastal city of Bogo, where a landslide buried shanties in a mountain village. Twelve others were killed in Medellin town after ceilings and walls of houses gave way, while five people, including three coast guard personnel and a firefighter, died in San Remigio when a basketball game was disrupted by the tremor and they were crushed by falling walls.
Rescue teams were struggling to reach cut-off villages amid cracked highways, damaged water systems and widespread power outages. Hundreds of residents spent the night in open fields, fearing aftershocks.
The quake’s epicentre was about 19km northeast of Bogo at a shallow depth of 5km. A brief tsunami warning was issued and later lifted.
Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro warned the full extent of the destruction may only become clear in daylight.
Key Points
- Death toll rises to 69
- Mapped: When and where did the earthquake strike?
- Multiple cities placed under 'state of calamity'
- Philippines records 800 aftershocks
- Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?
- Meghan Markle’s father 'trapped in Philippines apartment' – report
'Deeply saddened': Indian prime minister Modi expresses solidarity with the Philippines
12:20 , Stuti Mishra"Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the earthquake in the Philippines," Narendra Modi, India's prime minister wrote on X.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with the Philippines at this difficult time."
Deeply saddened to learn about the loss of lives and widespread damage caused by the earthquake in the Philippines. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with the Philippines at this difficult…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2025
US ambassador expresses condolences
12:01 , Stuti Mishra"We stand ready to support the Philippine government's response as friends, partners, allies," MaryKay Carlson, US ambassador to the Philippines, said in a post on social media platform X.
The 🇺🇸 Embassy community offers our deepest condolences to those affected by the earthquake in Cebu. Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected. We stand ready to support the 🇵🇭 government’s response as #FriendsPartnersAllies, monitoring @phivolcs_dost.
— Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson (@USAmbPH) October 1, 2025
Meghan Markle’s father 'trapped in Philippines apartment' – report
11:33 , Stuti MishraThomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly trapped in his apartment in the Philippines following Tuesday’s powerful earthquake, according to his daughter.
Samantha Markle wrote on X that her 80-year-old father “is stuck on the 19th floor of a building in the Philippines after a massive earthquake and he can't walk and he is trapped.”
The tweet was first reported by the Express newspaper – Markle's account on X is protected, making her posts private.
Mr Markle reportedly moved to the Philippines earlier this year with his son.
Is it safe to travel to the Philippines?
11:20 , Stuti MishraA 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines has raised concerns about the safety of travel plans to Southeast Asia.
Here's the latest Foreign Office advice, information on flights and whether you will receive a refund if you cancel:
Rescuers search for missing under the rubble
10:50 , Stuti Mishra
Children as young as 12 among victims in San Remigio as city left without electricity and water
10:20 , Stuti MishraMariano Martinez, the mayor of San Remigio municipality close to Bogo, said there were 11 casualties in the area, with victims as young as 12 and the toll expected to climb.
"Our first main problem is finding the casualties, identifying people who needs help", he told DZMM radio, adding many homes had suffered damage.
San Remigio’s vice mayor, Alfie Reynes, said some of the dead were killed when a sports complex collapsed during a basketball game. She appealed for food, water and heavy equipment to clear debris.
“It is raining heavily and there is no electricity so we really need help, especially in the northern part because there’s a scarcity of water after supply lines were damaged by the earthquake,” she said.
Philippines records 800 aftershocks
09:57 , Stuti MishraThe Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded close to 800 aftershocks by Wednesday afternoon, including one measuring magnitude 6.
Authorities said more tremors were expected but of diminishing strength. There was no tsunami threat.
Foreign Office asks travellers to follow advice from local authorities
09:35 , Annabel GrossmanThe FCDO has updated its Philippines travel advice in response to the earthquake in northern Cebu, stating that power outages and disruptions to transport and communications have been reported, and aftershocks are expected and may continue over the coming days.
The Foreign Office says that those in the affected area should follow the advice of local authorities and emergency services, be aware of the risk of aftershocks, avoid damaged buildings and infrastructure, and monitor local media and official sources for updates.
Those planning to travel to Cebu or nearby provinces are advised to contact their travel provider for updates and ensure their travel insurance covers natural disasters. Government advice suggests tourists stay informed via the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Photo: Injured receive treatment at makeshift emergency station
09:15 , Stuti Mishra
Why the Philippines is so quake-prone
08:49 , Stuti MishraThe Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” one of the most seismically active zones on Earth, and experiences around 826 earthquakes a year — about one every 10 hours. The latest event was a shallow “strike-slip” quake, where two plates grind past each other, making it especially destructive.
Photos: Damage seen at Catholic church in Daanbantayan, Cebu
08:16 , Stuti Mishra
Photo: Damaged McDonald's store in Bogo city
08:02 , Stuti Mishra
More than 150 injured, hospital overwhelmed in Bogo city
07:50 , Stuti MishraThe death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit the central Philippines has risen to 69, a disaster official said.
The number of injured has also increased to over 150, overwhelming hospitals, as temporary emergency clinics are set up to treat patients.
Earthquake strikes as Philippines reels from back-to-back storms
07:40 , Stuti MishraThe earthquake comes barely a week after back-to-back typhoons killed more than a dozen people and damaged infrastructure and crops.
Super Typhoon Ragasa, known locally as Nando, struck in late September, followed swiftly by Typhoon Bualoi, or Opong.
It capped an extraordinarily wet monsoon season that caused widespread flooding and fuelled protests over unfinished and sub-standard flood control projects blamed on corruption.
Tsunami warning briefly issued and lifted
07:02 , Stuti MishraThe Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology briefly issued a tsunami warning and advised people to stay away from the coastlines of Cebu and the nearby provinces of Leyte and Biliran due to possible waves of up to 1 metre (3 feet).
No such waves were reported and the tsunami warning was lifted more than three hours later.
Devotees asked to avoid churches until structural assessment
06:44 , Stuti MishraCebu's archbishop has asked for a structural assessment for all churches and rectories following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.
Rev Alberto S Uy also asked "parishes in the north that have been gravely affected" to "refrain from using their churches for the celebration of the Holy Mass until competent experts have certified the safety of the structures."
"We continue to pray to our Loving Father for calmness and strength in the midst of these trials," Rev Uy said in a statement.
"May the Lord shelter us under His wings, protect us from every harm, and guide us to safety and peace."
Photos: Rescuers search collapsed building where 3 people are missing
06:29 , Stuti Mishra
Photo: Road left with a crack after earthquake
06:15 , Stuti Mishra
Cebu jolted by hundreds of aftershocks after 6.9-magnitude quake
05:55 , Stuti MishraHundreds of aftershocks have jolted Cebu since the deadly earthquake struck last night.
At least 611 such tremors had been recorded, with most of them hitting Bogo City, according to Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Photo: Injured receive treatment at makeshift emergency station
05:50 , Stuti Mishra
Officials fear death toll could climb further
05:40 , Stuti MishraThe death toll in the Philippines continues to rise as rescuers reach areas hit by landslides and collapsed homes they couldn't access overnight.
In Bogo City, where at least 14 residents were killed, disaster-mitigation officer Rex Ygot told the Associated Press that workers are trying to bring in a backhoe to speed up search efforts in a mountain village buried by rocks and mud.
"It's hard to move in the area because there are hazards," said another disaster mitigation officer, Glenn Ursal, adding some survivors have been taken to hospital.
Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro warned in a video posted on Facebook that the true scale of damage and casualties in northern towns will only become clear later.
"It could be worse than we think," she says.
Hundreds of residents in Bogo gather overnight in a grassy field near a fire station and refuse to return to their homes.
Video: People hold each other as earthquake hits
05:17 , Stuti MishraMultiple cities placed under 'state of calamity'
05:00 , Stuti MishraSeveral cities across Cebu, including Bogo, San Remigio, Tabuelan and Medellin, have been placed under a "state of calamity" following yesterday night’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake, allowing local authorities to tap emergency funds and speed up relief efforts.
Vice Governor Glenn Soco announced that after meeting with provincial leaders, they “officially declared the entire province under a State of Calamity.”
“This declaration is necessary to give our provincial government the ability to respond quickly and effectively. It allows us to mobilise resources, extend immediate assistance to affected families, and implement rehabilitation measures as we begin our recovery,” Soco said in a Facebook post.
Classes have been suspended throughout the province and telecommunications have also gone down in Bogo, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan.
Death toll rises to 69
04:43 , Stuti MishraThe death toll from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck central Philippines has risen to 69 in Cebu province, an official has said, according to Reuters news agency.
Civil defence deputy administrator Raffy Alejandro said at a briefing that the number remains "fluid" as more reports come in from responders.
When and where did the earthquake strike?
04:25 , Stuti MishraThe 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu province in the central Visayas just before 10pm local time (2pm GMT) yesterday toppling buildings, cutting power and damaging a century-old church.
The tremor hit hardest in northern Cebu, including San Remigio.
Cebu, one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist regions with a population of 3.4 million, is also home to the country’s second-busiest gateway, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which remained operational despite the quake.
At least 31 dead after 6.9-magnitude earthquake
04:00 , Stuti MishraAt least 31 people have been killed after a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cebu province in the central Philippines late on Tuesday, collapsing homes, roads and public buildings in a region still reeling from a deadly storm just days earlier.
Officials said 14 people died in the coastal city of Bogo, where a landslide buried shanties in a mountain village. Twelve others were killed in Medellin town after ceilings and walls of houses gave way, while five people, including three coast guard personnel and a firefighter, died in San Remigio when a basketball game was disrupted by the tremor and they were crushed by falling walls.
