13 killed, 40 injured in Philippines earthquake

Sydney Sun (ANI) Monday 6th February, 2012

At least 13 people have been killed and 40 are believed missing after an earthquake struck the moutain village of Planas in the Philippines on Monday.

The 6.8-magnitude quake buried as many as 30 houses and trapped at least 40 residents.

The governor of Negros Oriental Island, Roel Degamo described the situation as grim.

Mayor Ernesto Reyes said: "We just hope for the best that there are still survivors."

Army troops and police have been deployed to help in the rescue effort.

The quake struck the area at around 11:49 a.m. local time.

Food and medicines were waiting to be airlifted from the provincial capital of Dumaguete.

Nine bridges are said to be damaged. The worst damage was concentrated in the province's mountainous northern portion.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered 72 kilometers north of Dumaguete city and struck at a depth of 46 kilometers. The area is about 650 kilometers southeast of Manila. (ANI)