The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9, with the epicenter in the sea just off the coast of the town of Bogo in the central parts of the country.
A large number of people have died in the earthquake's immediate vicinity, which consists of the province of Cebu. Outside the province's largest hospital, injured children and adults are receiving care on provisional hospital beds under blue tarpaulins, as the risk of aftershocks is considered high. The children are crying and the adults are screaming in pain, writes AFP.
On Wednesday morning Swedish time, at least 69 people are reported to have been confirmed dead. In addition, a total of over 180 people are injured, according to Philippine authorities.
The death toll is feared to rise further. The situation is worsened by the fact that roads are blocked by boulders and debris after the earthquake.
It's difficult to get around in the area because of all the hazards, says Glenn Ursal, who works with disaster management, to the news agency AP.
