6.9-Magnitude Quake Hits Central Philippines

A strong earthquake struck the central/eastern Philippines late Tuesday, with the USGS recording a magnitude of 6.9 (initially 7.0) at a shallow depth of about 10 km. USGS, GFZ and the Philippines' Phivolcs reported epicenters near Bogo/Palompon (Cebu), Calape (Bohol) and off Leyte, and shaking was widely felt across the Visayas and neighboring regions including Cebu City, Villaba, Ormoc, Laoang, parts of Bicol and northern Mindanao. Intensity reports reached as high as Intensity 6 in Cebu City and initial local reports describe structural damage. Phivolcs warned that aftershocks and additional damage are possible while authorities assess impacts; at the time of reporting there were no confirmed casualty figures. Monitoring agencies, including the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, reported no widespread tsunami threat though some early local bulletins noted the underwater epicenter could raise localized tsunami concerns. The situation remains developing and updates are expected as assessments continue.