A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Cebu evening on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, shaking parts of the Visayas and reaching as far as Bicol.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported that the quake hit at 9:59 p.m. on September 30, with its epicenter located about 17 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, Cebu. 

It was recorded at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers.

PHIVOLCS recorded the following reported intensities:

  • Intensity V – Argao, Cebu; Sipalay City, Negros Occidental; Lapu-Lapu City; Tacloban City
  • Intensity IV – San Fernando, Cebu; Bulan, Bulusan, and Casiguran, Sorsogon; Roxas City, Capiz; Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental; Ubay, Bohol; Lawaan, Eastern Samar; Laoang, Northern Samar; Catbalogan City, Samar; Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte
  • Intensity III – Legazpi City, Albay; Iriga City, Camarines Sur; Donsol, Sorsogon; Tibiao, Antique

Instrumental intensities also showed:

  • Intensity VI – Cebu City; Villaba, Leyte
  • Intensity V – Esperanza, Masbate; Argao, Asturias, Danao City, and Talisay City, Cebu; Lapu-Lapu City; Abuyog, Carigara, and Hilongos, Leyte; Ormoc City
  • Intensity IV – Bulusan, Sorsogon; Roxas City and Tapaz, Capiz; Moalboal, Cebu; Kawayan, Biliran; Alangalang, Leyte; Palapag, Northern Samar; Sogod, Southern Leyte; Magsaysay, Davao del Sur

Ted Joshua Divino, a resident of Sorsogon City who captured the moment on video, said the shaking lasted almost a minute. 

"Ramdam po namin ang lakas ng pagyanig dito po sa Sorsogon. Halos isang minuto tinagal po ang pagyanig po," he said.

MINOR SEA LEVEL DISTURBANCE

At around 11:30 p.m., PHIVOLCS has issued a Tsunami Advisory for Minor Sea Level Disturbance (orange) following the quake.

  • Minor sea level disturbance is expected in some coastal areas, with wave heights of less than one (1) meter above the expected ocean tides.
  • The public is advised to stay away from beaches and not to go to the coast.
  • Residents living very near the shoreline are advised to temporarily move farther inland, especially those in the provinces of Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran.
  • Owners of boats in harbors, estuaries, or shallow coastal waters in the affected provinces are advised to secure their boats and move them away from the waterfront.
  • Boats already at sea are advised to stay offshore in deep waters until further notice.

AFTERSHOCKS RECORDED

Several aftershocks were recorded by PHIVOLCS within two hours of the main quake:

  • 10:24 p.m. – Magnitude 5.0, 10 km depth, 7 km southeast of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 10:33 p.m. – Magnitude 5.1, 10 km depth, 10 km southeast of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 10:39 p.m. – Magnitude 3.8, 3 km depth, 5 km northwest of Tabogon, Cebu
  • 10:47 p.m. – Magnitude 2.4, 85 km depth, 13 km northwest of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 10:52 p.m. – Magnitude 3.2, 5 km depth, 13 km southeast of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 10:58 p.m. – Magnitude 2.9, 8 km depth, 9 km southwest of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 11:12 p.m. – Magnitude 3.4, 80 km depth, 4 km northwest of Bogo City, Cebu
  • 11:24 p.m. – Magnitude 2.8, 2 km depth, 6 km southwest of Bogo City, Cebu

PHIVOLCS continues to monitor possible aftershocks, as of press time.

Local authorities are assessing the situation for any damage or injuries.