A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter Scale struck central Philippines on Tuesday, prompting immediate concerns among residents. The tremor, which was initially reported as a 7.0 magnitude, occurred around 11 kilometres east-southeast of Calape in Bohol province, affecting a population of approximately 33,000. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage, although a stone church was damaged and power outages were reported in several areas.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology indicated that the earthquake was part of a series of strong quakes that hit the region, with magnitudes of 7.0 and 7.0 recorded shortly before the 6.9 tremor. The epicentre was located near Bogo city, which has a population exceeding 90,000. Local authorities have warned residents of Leyte, Cebu, and Biliran islands to stay away from coastal areas due to a potential minor sea-level disturbance, although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre confirmed that there was no tsunami threat.

Witnesses described the experience as frightening. Joey Leeguid, a firefighter in San Fernando, reported, "We felt the shake here in our station, it was so strong. We saw our locker moving from left to right." Martham Pacilan, a resident of Bantayan, recounted hearing a loud noise from a nearby church as rocks fell from its structure. He stated, "I was in shock and in panic at the same time but my body couldn’t move."

Agnes Merza, a local carer, noted that her kitchen tiles cracked during the quake, adding, "It felt as though we would all fall down. It’s the first time I have experienced it."

The earthquakes occurred at a depth of 10 km and were felt across the central Visayas region, which is known for its seismic activity due to its location on the Pacific "Ring of Fire." The region experiences frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making it one of the most disaster-prone areas in the world. Residents are advised to remain cautious as aftershocks are expected in the coming days.