DHAKA: Seventy-three people have been confirmed killed in a powerful earthquake that struck the central Philippines on Tuesday

Philippine authorities said, reports The Straits Times.

At least 57 people died on the island of Bohol, where the 7.1-magnitude quake’s epicentre struck, according to Bohol police chief Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin.

The national disaster agency had previously reported 16 deaths on the neighbouring islands of Cebu and Siquijor.

BDST: 1521 HRS, OCT 15, 2013
RoR/JCK