Manila: A powerful earthquake struck the Philippines overnight, causing buildings to collapse, killing at least 40 people. The magnitude 6.9 quake shook homes and buildings. People were jolted awake in the central province of Cebu, shaking them as they slept. Power outages left people struggling to keep their homes afloat in the dark.
The quake struck at a depth of five kilometers. About 90,000 people live in Cebu province. At least 14 people were killed in Bogo, with many trapped under debris due to landslides.
Rescue operations are underway, with the death toll expected to rise. In the town of Medellin, near Bogo, 12 people died when roofs and walls collapsed, some of them in their sleep. The intensity of the quake was considerable. Roads in the area have been destroyed and communication has been cut off. Hundreds of injured people have been admitted to hospital.