Philippines: Quake hits the Philippines, at least 13 dead, dozens missing

Manila – At least 13 people have been killed and 40 are missing after an earthquake struck at a depth of 20 kilometres around 11.49 am local time (GMT 3.49 am), some 70 kilometres north of the city of Dumaguete, Negros Island, causing major landslides.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a warning for a possible tsunami and one-metre waves along the coast east and west of the city of Cebu. However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunamis are not likely in the region, only in very localised cases.

Local sources report that in the village of Planas, 15 kilometres from the coastal town of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental province, at least 30 houses were buried, trapping 40 people.

The authorities have mobilised the armed forces and the police to rescue the civilian population and help emergency personnel.

The main quake was followed by smaller tremors, ranging from 4.8 to 5.6 at about 30-minute intervals.

In Guihulngan, ten people are confirmed dead, including students at a college and an elementary school. At least 100 people have been injured.

Several bridges have also collapsed. In the provincial capital of Dumaguete, hospitals are running out of food and medical supplies. Rescue teams are also having a hard time reaching villages in more remote areas.

The Philippines is located along the so-called ‘Pacific ring of fire’, characterised by intense seismic and volcanic activity.

In 1990, a 7.7 quake killed more than 2,000 in Luzon. In March 2010, a 6.2 quake hit the island of Lubang, Occidental Mindoro, but the shock was felt as far as Manila, 130 kilometres from the epicentre.