The death toll from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Philippines yesterday continues to rise.
At least 99 people died in the quake, which hit the central Philippines on Tuesday, a national holiday.
Residents have described ongoing aftershocks on Wednesday morning, with many afraid to return to their homes.
The earthquake struck below the island of Bohol, where the most casualties were reported.
Philippines earthquake struck below the island of Bohol, where the most casualties were reported
People were also killed in the province of Cebu, and historic churches, as well as roads, markets and buildings, were reported damaged on both islands.
The air force was carrying 24,000 lb of relief supplies to affected residents in Bohol province, Reuters news agency reported, citing a military spokesman.
Minda Morante, civil defense chief for the central islands, told AFP news agency that she expected the death toll to rise.
“We expect the number to increase considering there are still areas that need search and rescue [personnel] and there are areas where they need more aid,” Minda Morante said.
Philippines President Benigno Aquino is expected to visit the affected areas on Wednesday.
[youtube vxKGi7X1Kh8 650]
A 7.2-magnitude earthquake has hit the central Philippines, killing at least 20 people, reports say.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck underneath the island of Bohol, in a region popular with tourists.
People were killed as buildings and markets collapsed in Bohol and nearby Cebu province. Several buildings and churches were damaged by the quake.
The quake struck at 08:12 on a national holiday in Philippines.
Officials say that most of those killed were in Cebu, considered the second major city in the country.
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.
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.
Several buildings and churches were damaged by the Philippines earthquake
“Communication lines are quite difficult here,” he said.
“Even the disaster risk reduction management office has been damaged. We had to move elsewhere.”
The tremor triggered power outages in parts of Bohol, Cebu and neighboring areas, reports cited Philippines’ disaster management agency as saying.
Edgardo Chatto, the governor of Bohol, said that a church and a city hall building were damaged.
At least four people have been reported killed in Bohol and one on neighboring Siquijor island, reports say.
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.
There were reports of aftershocks following the quake.
Cebu province, with a population of more than 2.6 million, is about an hour away by plane from Manila. Neighboring Bohol, a favorite of tourists because of its sandy beaches, is a short boat ride away from Cebu.
[youtube a5WWqXoR_WM]
