Quake shakes Philippines: 6.9 tremor hits Bohol, damaging church and cutting power; minor sea-level warning issued

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.9 on the Richter Scale hit central Philippines on Tuesday, according to US Geological Survey, revising its earlier reading of 7.0. No immediate reports of casualties or damage have been received.

The strong tremor sent people out running, damaging a stone church and knocking out power in several areas.

A strong magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit Bantayan Island, Philippines, affecting the St. Peter and Paul the Apostle Parish Church in Bantayan town. pic.twitter.com/dYPAq3vGxl

— Weather Monitor (@WeatherMonitors) September 30, 2025

Live streamer (Sam Pepper) captures the M6.9 earthquake that just hit the Philippines. This is in Cebu....pic.twitter.com/5BebMAFgpj

— Volcaholic 🌋 (@volcaholic1) September 30, 2025

According to USGS, the epicentre of the quake was around 11 kilometres east-southeast of Calape in Bohol province with a population of around 33,000 people.

The local seismology office has warned of a possible "minor sea-level disturbance," according to a news report from AFP. It has also urged the residents of the central islands of Leyte, Cebu and Biliran to "stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast".

"There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake", and "no action is required," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.