A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8-magnitude has struck the Philippines near the city of Davao, with one child reported to have died and at least 84 people been injured as tremors sent locals fleeing in panic from damaged homes and shopping centres, officials said.
The quake was centred 38 miles southwest of Davao on the island of Mindanao, at a depth of 28.2km.
Rescuers pulled out two bodies Monday from a three-story building that collapsed in Davao del Sur's city of Padada. A third body could not be immediately extricated from the rubble due to remains trapped in slabs of cement, according to Pedro Caminero, the town mayor.
The search continues for at least seven people who are believed to be still trapped inside the building.
Two-storey town hall had been badly damaged by the intense shaking, along with two bridges and several buildings already weakened by previous quakes.
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