Strong quake kills at least 74 in central Philippines


Firefighters stand near destroyed vehicles covered with rubble after an earthquake struck Cebu city, in central Philippines October 15, 2013. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

CEBU CITY, Philippines (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 struck islands popular with tourists in the Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 74 people, some as they prayed in a centuries-old church, and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, officials said.

Low-rise buildings collapsed on at least two islands and historic churches in the predominantly Catholic country cracked and crumbled during the quake, which sparked panic, cut power and transport links and forced hospitals to evacuate patients.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Analysis-Income tax break adds to Lula's economic tailwinds ahead of Brazil election
EU Commission to take steps to improve drone detection capabilities
Turkish and Greek leaders set for talks on migration, maritime borders
Thailand's election commission faces pressure over vote transparency
Russian strike kills father and three children near Ukraine's Kharkiv
'It's time to get aggressive', Border Patrol agent says in Chicago shooting video
Russia, facing labour crunch worsened by war, pivots to India for workers
Women suicide bombers, new weapons give boost to insurgents in Pakistan
Ukraine's Zelenskiy intends to announce election plan on February 24, FT reports
Commonwealth boss confident of progress on slavery reparations

Others Also Read