Death toll of Philippine quake rises to 110

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People look at the ruins of Basilica Minore del Santo Nino bell tower following a 7.1- magnitude quake in Cebu on October 15, 2013.

Confirmed Report states that death toll from the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck the central Philippines has reached 110. Philippine President Beningo Aquino III has ordered all relevant government agencies to find and rescue quake victims and provide assistance to the affected areas. Many residents are still living outside in shelters, for fears of aftershocks.

It was the strongest earthquake to hit the Central Philippines in more than two decades. A magnitude seven-point-two earthquake shook the region Tuesday morning, bringing chaos to an otherwise quiet national holiday.

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Doctors and staff of one of the biggest hospitals in Cebu City - the country’s second major city - scrambled to evacuate patients and bring them to open spaces.

"We weren’t the only ones who decided to let them outside, the patients themselves wanted to get out because of the earlier earthquake." Hospital officer-in-charge Charles Cabatania said.

The tremor, which people here say lasted for at least half a minute, toppled buildings, bridges, and power and communication lines. Centuries-old churches on both the islands of Cebu, as well as Bohol - which was the epicentre of the earthquake - were reduced to rubble. Scores of people were injured and killed, while several towns remain isolated.

                   

Reporte: “Hundreds of thousands of people here in Cebu and in Bohol have been affected by the earthquake. Many of them are in government shelters or are spending the night out on these streets. These people’s houses are actually just across the street but they say they fear a huge aftershock would leave them trapped inside their homes.”

"Our houses have cracks now. We’re afraid they might give in to the aftershocks." CEBU resident Victorino Pulutan said.

At least 300 aftershocks have been recorded and they continue to occur - and may go on for at least a week even so, government seismologists say the worst of the damage appears to be over.