Earthquake in The Philippines Kills 2

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines yesterday, causing severe damage to buildings, injuring dozens of people, and leaving two dead.

The earthquake hit the town of Kananga on the Leyte Island at around 4pm local time on Thursday. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre of the earthquake was near the city of Tacloban.

Tacloban was hit hard in 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan and tsunami warnings were issued.

According to authorities, two people have been confirmed dead following the quake, while more than 72 others have been injured.

Rescuers managed to pull several people from a collapsed building, and one body.

The town was rocked by powerful aftershocks early this morning, sending locals into a panic, and causing hundreds to flee their homes.

“Some residents ran out of their homes when they felt aftershocks. Some had panicked but many stayed calm because we just had an earthquake drill and they know what to do in times of disaster,” a security official told reporters.

Three provinces in the region are still without power, and the government has closed all schools in the affected areas.

Authorities are still busy assessing the damage of the earthquake, but have told locals that no more aftershocks are expected.