DHAKA: An earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude has hit the central Philippines, killing at least four people.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck underneath the island of Bohol, in a region popular with tourists.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a destructive wave was not expected.

The four people who died were killed when a fish market collapsed in Cebu city, officials say. Several other buildings are reported to have been damaged.

Edgardo Chatto, the governor of Bohol, said that a church and a city hall building were damaged by the quake.

Several people were injured in Cebu when a market collapsed, officials said.

At least two buildings and a church in Cebu province had also been damaged by the quake, local media reports said.

Straddling the so-called Ring of Fire belt of seismic activity, the Philippines often experiences earthquakes.

In August 2012 a 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern Philippine island of Samar, causing tsunami evacuations and power cuts.

Source: BBC
BDST: 0924 HRS, OCT 15, 2013
SR/RIS