The death toll from a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck near Bogo City on October 1, 2025, has risen to at least 69, with many injured individuals overwhelming hospitals on the island of Cebu. The quake, which occurred late Tuesday, caused significant destruction, particularly in the city of Bogo, home to approximately 90,000 residents.
Injured individuals, including children, were treated outside the Cebu Provincial Hospital under makeshift blue tents to avoid potential aftershocks. Reports indicate that many victims were trapped under debris, with Office of Civil Defence deputy administrator Rafaelito Alejandro confirming that numerous fatalities resulted from being pinned down.
Richard Guion, who survived the disaster with his wife and son, recounted how his family was rescued from their collapsed home. Tragically, the earthquake claimed 30 lives in Bogo alone, with additional fatalities recorded in neighboring municipalities – 22 in San Remigio, 10 in Medellin, 5 in Tabogon, and 1 each in Sogod and Tabuelan.
As rescue efforts continued, the local community rallied to support those affected, with firemen using excavators to search for missing individuals beneath the rubble of a two-storey motel. Eyewitness accounts describe harrowing scenes of despair as families searched for their loved ones.
President Ferdinand Marcos extended his condolences to the victims’ families and pledged swift aid for relief efforts. The provincial government has called for medical volunteers to assist in the aftermath, as roads and infrastructure in several areas also sustained damage.
The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” experiences frequent seismic activity, with earthquakes occurring almost daily, though most are too weak to be felt. The unpredictability of stronger quakes poses a constant threat to the region.
