Death toll in Philippines earthquake mounts to 107

Manila: At least 107 people have been confirmed dead in the powerful earthquake that hit central Philippines provinces of Bohol and Cebu on Tuesday, Xinhua reported Wednesday citing the country’s disaster relief agency. Rey Balido, operation officer and spokesman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, told reporters that 91 fatalities were from the worst-hit province of Bohol while Cebu reported nine deaths and Siquijor one. [caption id=“attachment_1175259” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AP[/caption] Most of the deaths were caused by falling debris. Balido said the number of injured also climbed to 276 people - 166 from Bohol, 106 from Cebu, three from Siquijor, and one from Negros Oriental. Three people are reported missing. He said the number of affected people was pegged at 2,841,956, of which 12,665 people are housed in evacuation centres. Balido said Bohol has declared a state of calamity while Cebu is already under a state of calamity which was declared in August following a collision between a passenger vessel and a cargo ship that left about 100 people dead. The last time Bohol experienced a strong earthquake was in 1990. The offshore quake, that triggered a tsunami, also damaged structures. The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire where continental plates collide, causing frequent seismic and volcanic activity. IANS