6.9 magnitude earthquake kills more than 60 in central Philippines

MANILA, Oct. 01 (YPA) – A powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines late Tuesday, killing at least 60 people and severely damaging buildings and infrastructure in nearby towns and cities, Philippine authorities announced on Wednesday morning .

“We are receiving additional numbers of reported casualties so this thing is very fluid. We are receiving reports (that) as high as 60 individuals are reported to have perished in this earthquake,” Rafaelito Alejandro, deputy administrator of the government’s Office of Civil Defence told reporters in Manila.

Search and rescue operations have intensified in the Philippines following the powerful quake that struck the central region, adding to the country’s woes as it has yet to recover from the devastating storms that hit just days earlier.

@E.Y.M