A strong 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday night, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 150 others. The tremor, centered northeast of Bogo City in Cebu province, caused widespread destruction, collapsing homes, churches, and public buildings.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology confirmed the quake struck just before 10 p.m. at a shallow depth of 5 kilometers. The agency initially issued a tsunami alert but later lifted it after confirming no unusual waves.
Ainjeliz de la Torre-Orong, a Cebu provincial spokeswoman, said that “four buildings collapsed, three government offices were damaged, and at least six bridges and one major road are not passable.” Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro ordered immediate relief operations and the distribution of water, food, and medical supplies.
Cities most affected in Philippines
The hardest-hit areas include Bogo City, Medellin, and San Remigio, where multiple deaths were reported. San Remigio officials confirmed five deaths, including a child who was trapped under rubble. Capt. Jan Ace Elcid Layug of the San Remigio police said four of the victims died when a sports complex collapsed. “Three were members of the Coast Guard and one was from the Bureau of Fire Protection,” he told ABS-CBN News.
Medellin officials reported entire families trapped in collapsed houses, while Bogo City, close to the epicenter, saw heavy structural damage to schools and public facilities. Authorities there said water systems were disrupted and several neighborhoods remain without electricity.
Local governments in these areas declared a state of calamity to access emergency funds and speed up recovery efforts. Residents spent the night outdoors, fearing aftershocks that continued to rattle the province.
Toll free contact number
Emergency hotlines have been released for residents needing rescue or medical help. Cebu province activated its Command Center line at 0995 614 6128. Local disaster risk offices across the province also provided numbers to coordinate assistance.
Provincial officials urged residents to use official hotlines only for urgent cases to avoid clogging lines. Relief teams continue to assess damage while phone and internet disruptions affect communication in some towns.
Emergency Hotline Numbers by City and Town
| Location | Hotline Numbers |
|---|---|
| Compostela | 0917 812 6148 |
| Danao City | 0917 153 6955 / 0998 598 6379 (PNP) |
| Liloan | 0956 271 1967 / 0923 905 9077 |
| Poro | 0995 156 8504 |
| San Francisco | 0929 541 2144 |
| Sogod | 0906 537 0939 / 0995 873 6046 |
| Tudela | 0977 764 1563 / 0922 692 4506 |
| Mandaue City | (032) 383 1658 / (032) 346 0784 / 0917 111 6633 |
| Ronda | 0970 778 7777 |
| Consolacion | (032) 236 2003 / 0931 214 9134 |
| Cordova | 0917 149 8457 / 0917 116 9819 |
| Alcantara | 0919 067 0898 / 0915 901 8000 |
| Alegria | (032) 476 7604 / 0928 743 1788 |
| Badian | (032) 986 3435 / 0999 413 0234 |
| Dumanjug | 0998 733 3000 / 0998 598 6358 (PNP) |
| Ginatilan | (032) 401 4165 / 0917 845 5714 |
| Malabuyoc | (032) 477 8079 |
| Moalboal | 0908 813 0370 |
| Carcar City | 0929 444 7161 |
| Naga City | 0916 361 4638 |
| Oslob | 0938 941 0419 / 0998 598 6348 (PNP) |
| Minglanilla | 0943 850 9665 |
| San Fernando | (032) 260 2083 / 0942 638 3201 / 0962 041 7896 (BFP) |
| Sibonga | (032) 234 6603 / 0995 468 5927 / 0961 850 4538 |
| Toledo City | 0956 817 4215 / 0915 642 6842 (PNP) |
| Bogo City | (032) 342 0580 / 0945 685 2435 / 0917 920 4635 |
| Medellin | (032) 266 6875 / 0932 866 7704 / 0917 623 6135 |
| Daanbantayan | 0926 825 3800 / 0999 989 7792 |
| Santa Fe | 0981 446 7661 / 0927 447 5176 |
| Bantayan | 0910 622 6622 / 0915 848 6678 |
What we know more
The quake adds to a series of deadly earthquakes in the Philippines. In November 2023, a 6.7-magnitude tremor hit the southern region, killing at least seven people. In July 2023, a 7-magnitude quake struck the north, leaving four dead.
Scientists explained that the Philippines sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a highly active zone where tectonic plates collide. Renato Solidum, director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, said the latest quake came from a local fault stressed by the movement of the Philippine Sea Plate and Eurasian Plate. “This zone of double subduction makes the Philippines one of the most earthquake-prone nations,” he said.
Aftershocks are expected in the coming days, and engineers continue inspecting schools, bridges, and hospitals across Cebu. Authorities ordered all churches closed until they are cleared for safety, after the Archdiocese of Cebu reported heavy structural damage.
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