Deadly 6.8 Quake Rocks Philippines

At least 42 dead, houses buried

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2012 12:04 AM CST | Updated Feb 6, 2012 4:00 AM CST

(Newser) – A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake shook the central Philippines today, killing at least 42 people and triggering a local tsunami alert. Houses were buried, windows were shattered, and walls were cracked by the shaker, causing panicked residents to flee their homes, schools, offices, and stores. The quake struck in a narrow strait just off Negros Island, triggering landslides. At least 29 people were missing in the city of Guihulngan, where some 30 houses were buried, reports AP.

"Their situation is bad because if you are covered by landslide for one hour, two hours, how can you breathe?" asked the local mayor. "We hope for the best, that there are still survivors." Nearly 45 aftershocks have already been recorded, keeping people from returning to their homes.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Bartolome Bautista, deputy director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, points to the epicenter of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake which hit the central Philippines. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Residents race to safety after a 6.8 earthquake hit the central Philippines. (Getty Images)

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They just keep getting slammed with strong aftershocks right now. Please pray for them. A 4.8 and a 5.6 quakes.globalincidentmap.com (hummingbird027)

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Deadly 6.8 Quake Rocks Philippines

At least 42 dead, houses buried

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