Strong Quake Causes Damage, Panic In Central Philippine Island

Published: Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 4:57 pm

Strong Earthquake Rocks Central Philippines, Causing Damage and Panic

A powerful earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.9, struck off the coast of the central Philippines on Tuesday evening, triggering widespread panic and causing significant damage. The tremor, which occurred near the northern tip of Cebu island, led to structural damage to buildings and roads, and resulted in power outages across the region.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a warning for a potential "minor sea-level disturbance" and advised residents of Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran to avoid beaches and coastal areas. Residents reported experiencing a strong and prolonged shaking, with some describing a sense of dizziness and fear. Witnesses recounted seeing rocks falling from damaged structures, including a church, and reported cracked tiles in homes.

Local authorities confirmed the collapse of a commercial building and a school in Bantayan, along with damage to several village roads. The timing of the quake, at nearly 10:00 PM local time, likely meant that many buildings were unoccupied at the time of the event.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines reported that the earthquake caused power lines to trip, resulting in widespread outages across Cebu and neighboring islands. The provincial government is actively assessing the situation and reaching out to municipal officials. Residents were urged to remain calm, move to open areas, and be vigilant for aftershocks.

The United States Geological Survey initially reported a magnitude of 7.0 before revising it down. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has confirmed there is no tsunami threat. The Philippines, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," is prone to frequent seismic activity, with strong earthquakes occurring periodically.

BNN's Perspective: The Philippines' vulnerability to earthquakes underscores the importance of robust building codes and disaster preparedness measures. While the lack of casualties is a positive sign, the damage and disruption caused by this event highlight the need for continued investment in infrastructure resilience and public education on earthquake safety.

Keywords: earthquake, Philippines, Cebu, damage, aftershocks, power outage, tsunami, Ring of Fire, seismic activity, disaster, panic, buildings, roads, coastal areas, residents, magnitude, USGS, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

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