CEOAFRICA gathered that an earthquake was reported to kill about 93 persons in Philippines as it generated landslides that buried homes, caused terrific stampedes and destroyed historic churches.

According to our source, the National Disaster Agency said that 15persons confirmed dead were in Cebu. The quake also killed another 77 people in the neighbouring island of Bohol, while one other person died in nearby Siquijor.

Authorities have said the death toll could still rise, with officials struggling to assess the extent of the damage in the worst-hit areas of Bohol where roads remained blocked and power was cut at nightfall.

Bohol police chief, Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin, said one of the worst affected areas was the coastal town of Loon, where at least 18 people were killed by landslides that buried houses along large stretches of highway.

Cebu, with a population of 2.5 million people, is the political, economic, educational and cultural centre of central Philippines.