Death Toll from Cebu Earthquake Could Reach 60, Says Philippines’ Civil Defence

Manila, Oct 2025 : The death toll from the powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu province in the central Philippines could climb to as many as 60, according to the Office of Civil Defence (OCD).

Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro, OCD’s deputy administrator, told reporters on Wednesday that while there have been reports of up to 60 fatalities, the figure remains subject to official validation. “We are still confirming the identities of the missing and continue to receive information about individuals possibly trapped under debris,” he said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) initially placed the death toll at 26, with at least 147 people reported injured. However, the Cebu provincial disaster management office has separately recorded more than 60 deaths. Of these, at least 30 were in Bogo City—the quake’s epicentre—22 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, and one in Tabuelan town.

In response, Cebu province has declared a state of calamity. This measure enables the government and local authorities to access emergency funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts. It also allows for price control mechanisms, such as freezes on essential goods, to protect affected communities, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology initially reported the tremor as a magnitude 6.7 event that struck at 9:59 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The agency later revised it to 6.9, noting that the quake originated at a shallow depth of five kilometres, around 19 kilometres northeast of Bogo City.

The earthquake was strongly felt across Cebu and neighbouring provinces in the central Philippines, with tremors also reported in some southern regions. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks, which could pose further risks to already damaged structures.

The Philippines is highly prone to seismic activity, being situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active zone where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are common. The latest quake underscores the country’s ongoing vulnerability to natural disasters, prompting renewed calls for strengthened disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.

As search and rescue operations continue, officials caution that the death toll could rise further if more victims are found in the rubble.