6.9-Magnitude Earthquake Devastates Cebu; International Community Offers Condolences

A strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck Cebu province on the evening of Tuesday, September 30, 2025, causing significant damage including to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima and local residences. The disaster claimed at least 26 lives and left hundreds injured, prompting officials in Bogo City and neighboring towns to declare a state of calamity.

In the aftermath, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported approximately 100 aftershocks, indicating ongoing seismic activity in the region.

International responses of condolence and support were swiftly issued. The Canadian Embassy in the Philippines expressed profound sympathy for the affected residents, stating in an X (formerly Twitter) post on October 1, "The Embassy of Canada extends its deepest sympathy to the residents of Cebu and nearby provinces affected by the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on September 30, 2025. We mourn the loss of lives and we stand with those who are grieving, injured, or displaced. Canada stands ready to coordinate closely with Philippine government agencies, humanitarian partners, and the international community to help meet urgent needs."

Similarly, European Union Ambassador Massimo Santoro conveyed the bloc’s heartfelt condolences, emphasizing solidarity by sharing, "The EU stands in solidarity (EU and Philippine flags)."

Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown also offered his sympathies through a separate post, stating, "Australia extends its condolences to those impacted by the Cebu earthquake. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured."

The quake's impact has raised concerns about infrastructure resilience and ongoing relief efforts as local and international agencies mobilize to provide assistance and address the urgent needs of the affected population.