This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24530042

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Philippines quake hits Cebu and Bohol Deadly Philippine quake hits Bohol and Cebu
(35 minutes later)
An earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude has hit the central Philippines, killing at least 20 people, reports say. More than 30 people have been reported dead after an earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude hit the central Philippines.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck underneath the island of Bohol, in a region popular with tourists. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck below the island of Bohol, known for its sandy beaches.
People were killed as buildings and markets collapsed in Bohol and nearby Cebu province. Several buildings and churches were damaged by the quake. People were killed as structures collapsed in Bohol and nearby Cebu province. Several buildings and churches were damaged by the quake.
The quake struck at 08:12 (00:12GMT) on a national holiday in the country.The quake struck at 08:12 (00:12GMT) on a national holiday in the country.
Officials say that most of those killed were in Cebu, considered the second major city in the country. Officials said at least 16 people were confirmed dead in Bohol and 15 in Cebu, considered the Philippines' second city. One was reported dead from the neighbouring island of Siquijor.
At least five people died when part of a fishing port collapsed, reports the Associated Press (AP) news agency. Two more people died and others were injured when a roof at a market fell, AP adds. Dozens of others were also being treated for injuries.
Neil Sanchez, head of the Cebu disaster management office, told broadcaster ABS-CBN that they were trying to confirm reports that a school had collapsed. At least five people died when part of a fishing port collapsed in Cebu, reports the Associated Press (AP) news agency. Two more people died and others were injured when a roof at a market fell, AP adds.
"Communication lines are quite difficult here," he said. "Even the disaster risk reduction management office has been damaged. We had to move elsewhere." At least three people also died during a stampede at a sports complex in Cebu, provincial disaster chief Neil Sanchez said.
The tremor triggered power outages in parts of Bohol, Cebu and neighbouring areas, reports cited the country's disaster management agency as saying. "There was panic when the quake happened and there was a rush toward the exit," he told Agence-France Presse news agency.
Edgardo Chatto, the governor of Bohol, said that a church and a city hall building were damaged. The tremor triggered power outages in parts of Bohol, Cebu and neighbouring areas, say reports citing the country's disaster management agency.
At least four people have been reported killed in Bohol and one on neighbouring Siquijor island, reports say. Cebu officials have declared a state of calamity in the province.
Edgardo Chatto, the governor of Bohol, said a city hall building was damaged on the island.
Heavy damage to historic churches, some dating back to the Spanish colonial period in the 1500s and the 1600s, was also reported in Bohol and Cebu.
British man David Venables, who has lived in Cebu for seven years, said it was the strongest quake he had experienced.British man David Venables, who has lived in Cebu for seven years, said it was the strongest quake he had experienced.
"It's a very strange and frightening experience when the very foundations of the house and surrounding area shake uncontrollably," he said."It's a very strange and frightening experience when the very foundations of the house and surrounding area shake uncontrollably," he said.
Bonita Cabiles, a resident of Mandaue city in Cebu province, told the BBC said she was woken up when she felt the ground rumbling. Bonita Cabiles, a resident of Mandaue city in Cebu, told the BBC said she was woken up when she felt the ground rumbling.
She said there was a lot of structural damage in the area, including to the bell tower of the Santo Nino church in Cebu, one of the most well-known churches in the country.She said there was a lot of structural damage in the area, including to the bell tower of the Santo Nino church in Cebu, one of the most well-known churches in the country.
It was fortunate that it was a national holiday and the students were not in school, she said.It was fortunate that it was a national holiday and the students were not in school, she said.
There were reports of aftershocks following the quake.There were reports of aftershocks following the quake.
Cebu province, with a population of more than 2.6m, is about an hour away by plane from Manila. Neighbouring Bohol, a favourite of tourists because of its sandy beaches, is a short boat ride away from Cebu.Cebu province, with a population of more than 2.6m, is about an hour away by plane from Manila. Neighbouring Bohol, a favourite of tourists because of its sandy beaches, is a short boat ride away from Cebu.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions