Major earthquake in Philippines kills 60, more than 100 injured

MANILA: The death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rattled Philippines has risen to 60, with the death toll expected to rise. The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at 9:59 pm on Tuesday near Bogo, a city of 90,000 people, on the northern tip of the island. Initial reports said 147 people were injured. 22 buildings were damaged. Rescue efforts are underway in the area. Many people are trapped under rubble, said the authorities.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said 379 aftershocks were felt in the region since the initial quake. The quake snapped power lines in Cebu and nearby central islands, and several roads were blocked.

Authorities said Philippines is a relatively regular earthquake zone, located on the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region of intense seismic activity that stretches from Japan to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issued a tsunami warning after the quake. It also advised people to evacuate coastal areas in Cebu and the nearby provinces of Leyte and Biliran. The warning was later lifted.