A magnitude-7.2 earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least 34 people as many buildings collapsed, officials said.
The tremor occurred 2 kilometres south-east of Carmen town in Bohol province, 640 kilometres south of Manila, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
Hundreds were reported to have been injured in the tremor, which tore down old buildings, including three of the oldest Catholic churches in the country.
The quake was felt in the nearby provinces of Cebu, Negros, Masbate, Leyte and Iloilo, and as far as the southern region of Mindanao, the institute said.
Renato Solidum, the institute’s director, said the quake’s energy amounted to “around 32 Hiroshima atomic bombs.” With more than 100 aftershocks recorded so far, Solidum warned residents against returning to damaged houses and buildings.
“The concern after the earthquake would be the aftershocks that could cause damaged structures to totally collapse,” he said. “People have to inspect damage before re-occupying buildings.” Solidum said more shocks were expected to occur until Thursday, before diminishing.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino said 18 people were reported killed in Bohol and one in nearby Siquijor province.
The national disaster risk management agency said 15 people were killed in nearby Cebu province.
The victims included a 4-year-old girl whose mother was among hundreds of residents waiting to receive cash assistance from the government in an auditorium in Pinamungahan town in Cebu.
“She was separated from her mother and was crushed in the stampede,” Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said.
Officials said they expect the death toll to increase as more information comes in from the affected areas.
“It was violent,” said Brigitte Lux, a 63-year-old German residing in the resort island of Panglao in Bohol province. “We were totally shocked.” In Cebu City, Lynlyn Empleo, a 26-year-old mother of one, said she felt her house swaying and shaking for three minutes.
“It was very scary,” she said. “Our things crashed to the floor and we thought it would not end.” People rushed out of their homes and offices crying and holding on to each other as buildings shook. Electricity was cut off in many areas hit by the earthquake.
An apartment terrace fell on a van in Talisay City in Cebu, trapping four people, Mayor Johnny De Los Reyes said. At least two people were rescued from the rubble, he added.
In Bohol, the roof of a hotel’s function hall crashed and buried at least one employee.
“I don’t think she’s still alive,” said Stephen Con, a front desk officer at the Bohol Tropics Resort in Tagbilaran City, where fewer than 100 guests were staying.
Several domestic flights were cancelled hours after the earthquake as authorities inspected the status of airports.
While cracks were found on floors, walls and runways, the airports in Cebu City and Tagbilaran City were re-opened after an assessment found that it was safe for them to operate.