Toll climbs to 28 in Philippines earthquake

The toll has climbed to 28 in the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck central and southern Philippines Tuesday, the Philippine president said.

"By 2 p.m., 28 people died, 18 in Bohol, nine in Cebu, one in Siquijor," Philippine President Benigno Aquino III told reporters at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC).

At least 69 people were injured in Tagbilaran Bohol, said department of health director Carmencita, reports Xinhua.

The epicentre of the earthquake was located about five to 10 km from Carmen in Bohol province.

This earthquake was the biggest to have hit the Philippines in a few years and was felt as far as Davao City in Mindanao, hundreds of kilometers down south.

Jenirose Torotoro, a resident in Mindanao's Butuan city, said she felt strong tremor for at least a minute. Power was cut for a few hours but is now restored, she said.

Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology director Renato Solidum said the earthquake at a depth of 33 km is considered shallow.