Ferdinand Magellan died on April 27, 1521, in the Battle of Mactan in the Philippines. During the battle, Magellan was wounded by a poisoned arrow in his right leg. Despite this injury, he continued fighting but was eventually overwhelmed by native warriors who attacked him with spears and swords. He suffered multiple wounds, including a spear strike to his face and a cut to his left leg, which caused him to fall and was then killed by several attackers. His death was a result of this battle against the forces of the local chieftain Lapulapu, who resisted Magellan's efforts to subjugate and convert the local population to Christianity.

The poisoned arrow is believed to have contained toxins from plants used by indigenous peoples in Southeast Asia, which likely hastened Magellan's death by impairing his ability to retreat and defend himself.

Magellan's death marked the end of his command in the expedition, which was later taken over by Juan Sebastián Elcano, who completed the first circumnavigation of the globe.