30/09/2025
Timeline of Cebu Earthquake Events - September 30, 2025
β οΈ 9:59:43 PM PST (Philippine Standard Time) β The main earthquake struck off the northern coast of Cebu, near Bogo City. The earthquake registered a magnitude of 6.9 on the moment magnitude scale with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers.
β οΈ Immediately after the quake (9:59 PM to 10:15 PM) β Intense shaking was felt across Cebu and neighboring provinces such as Leyte, Masbate, Negros Occidental, and parts of Luzon and Mindanao. Residents fled homes and businesses in panic. Power outages occurred in several parts of Cebu including Daanbantayan and Bogo. Several buildings, bridges, and roads sustained damage, with some structures collapsing, including a sports complex and commercial buildings in San Remigio and Bogo.
β οΈ 10:12 PM β Strong aftershocks started to be recorded, including one with a magnitude of 5.2 shortly after the main event. Over 280 aftershocks were recorded in the following days.
β οΈ Night of September 30 β Emergency response teams began search and rescue operations for people potentially trapped under rubble. Reports of casualties surfaced - by this time at least 26 were confirmed dead with dozens injured. Five people were killed when a basketball game venue collapsed in San Remigio, including three coast guard personnel and a firefighter. Landslides in coastal villages also buried homes.
β οΈ Late Night β The government issued advisories for evacuations, especially in coastal areas due to minor sea level disturbances and tsunami advisories, which were later lifted. Schools and several public offices announced the suspension of classes and work for the following day.
β οΈ Early Morning October 1 β Cebu provincial government, along with several municipalities including Bogo, San Remigio, Medellin, and Tabuelan, declared a state of calamity to facilitate the release of emergency funds and hasten aid and recovery operations. Telecommunications and power services remained disrupted in some areas.
β οΈ Daytime October 1 β Assessment of damage revealed that hundreds of homes, churches, schools, and government buildings were severely damaged or destroyed. Major infrastructure such as bridges and electric substations were also affected causing wide disruption in power supply across Central Visayas and nearby regions. Relief operations mobilized, with evacuations ongoing and emergency shelters set up.
β οΈ Following days β Aftershocks continued to shake the region, causing additional concerns. Rescue and relief operations continued, focusing on finding survivors, distributing relief goods, restoring power and communication, and repairing damaged infrastructure.
This earthquake was particularly devastating to northern Cebu and surrounding Visayas provinces, prompting a wide humanitarian response and government action to support affected communities.
Be safe and stay alert! π
