Strong quake hits Central Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has raised tsunami alert level 2 following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake which hit the provinces of Negros and Cebu in the Visayas region Monday.

The US Geological Service said that the quake hit 70 kilometers (44 miles) north of the city of Dumaguete on Negros Island at 11:49 am (0349 GMT) at a depth of 46 kilometers.

According to Phivolcs, the quake was felt at intensity V in Iloilo and intensity IV in Kalibo, Aklan; San Jose de Buenavista and Pandan, Antique; Sta.Barbara, Iloilo; Dipolog. Damage and aftershocks are expected.

People from offices and malls got out as soon as they felt the quake, and students rushed out of schoolrooms.

The Associated Press reported that a child was killed when a concrete fence of a house collapsed in Taysan town in Negros Oriental. With reports by Leila Salaverria, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and AP