Reports indicate 85 dead in Philippines earthquake
theweathernetwork.com
Tuesday, October 15, 2013, 1:17 PM -
At least 85 people have been reported dead in the aftermath of a 7.1-magnitude quake that struck the Philippines early Tuesday.
Around 69 of the fatalities are on the island of Bohol in the central Philippines, where the quake was centred 2 km away from the town of Catigbian, which is home to 23,000 people.
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But deaths have also been reported in Cebu province, across the strait, including at least four of the dead killed when part a fish port collapsed in Cebu City.
The roof of a market in Mandaue also collapsed, injuring 19 people, according to TV reports.
At least 85 dead in Philippines #Earthquake. 16th century Bascillica of the Holy Child in Cebu lost its bell tower. pic.twitter.com/KoGlWeAo6c
— Steve Lindsay CBS3 (@SteveLindsayCBS) October 15, 2013
Photos from Cebu broadcast on TV stations showed a fallen concrete 2-story building, and reports said two people were pulled out alive, including an 8-month-old baby.
Bohol Gov. Edgardo Chatto told the Associated Press that a church was damaged in the town of Tagbilaran, where one person was reported injured as part of a city hall collapsed.
The historical Loboc Church in Bohol :( Before & after #earthquake #PrayForVisayas God bless the Philippines pic.twitter.com/YNdiKWxpk7
— JAMICH (@ilovejamich) October 15, 2013
"Right now we are in the streets because it is unsafe to be inside, Maryann Zamora told CNN by phone from Cebu City, 37 km away, where she reported glass and concrete in the streets.
At least 10 aftershocks have been reported so far, along with major damage to local structures.
Photo: Damage from Philippines earthquake in Talisay, Cebu - @solartvnews pic.twitter.com/saS8MLABrc
— SammyCat (@manseydoll) October 15, 2013
The quake struck a little after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning local time, on the national holiday Eidul Adha.
There is currently no threat of a tsunami.
The quake was centered about 619 kilometers south-southeast of Manila, near Catigbian, and its depth was 20 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey said.
