61 Dead After Magnitude 6.9 Earthquake Hits Cebu

At least 61 people have been confirmed dead following the powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that shook Cebu on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, according to the Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO). The tremor, one of the strongest to strike the province in recent years, caused widespread damage and casualties across several towns.

The PDRRMO reported on Wednesday, October 1, that of the 61 deaths, 32 have already been verified as “official.” The fatalities were distributed across five municipalities: 27 in Bogo City, 10 in Medellin, 22 in San Remigio, one in Sogod, and one in Tabuelan.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), however, presented a lower count, recording only 26 deaths in its situational report released the same morning. It also reported that 147 individuals were injured.

Beyond human casualties, the earthquake left critical infrastructure in disarray. The NDRRMC confirmed damage to three bridges and one section of road, while power outages affected at least eight localities. The municipal governments of San Remigio and Tabuelan have since declared a state of calamity to allow for faster relief and rehabilitation measures.

Authorities have moved swiftly to respond. The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced the mobilization of its personnel and resources to aid disaster-stricken communities.

Acting PNP Chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez said the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas has been directed to activate its Disaster Incident Management Task Group, ensure accountability of deployed personnel, and carry out a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA).

He stressed that police officers are actively working on the ground to assist in evacuations, secure affected areas, and maintain order amid ongoing assessments of the disaster’s full impact.

“Our personnel on the ground were among the first responders and we assure the people of Cebu that we will extend all the necessary assistance — from securing affected establishments to attending to the needs of the local residents,” Nartatez said in a statement.

Beyond immediate relief, the PNP has also readied its Engineering Service to provide technical expertise. “Our Engineering Service will be on standby for possible rendering of assistance in the structural integrity inspection of buildings and establishments,” Nartatez added.

As part of safety precautions, inspections will also be carried out in police stations and other PNP facilities in Cebu. Officers across the province have been instructed to keep all communication lines open to promptly respond to assistance requests from local residents.

Nartatez emphasized the importance of coordination with other agencies and assured continued government support. “The PNP is working in lockstep with all concerned agencies under the guidance of the President. Additional resources from nearby regions are already on standby to reinforce relief, rescue, and recovery operations in Cebu and surrounding areas,” he said.

With dozens of lives lost and hundreds injured, the scale of the tragedy has highlighted the urgency of both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding efforts. Rescue teams, local officials, and national agencies continue to work around the clock to bring aid to survivors while assessing the full extent of the destruction.