6.7 magnitude earthquake shakes southern Philippines, kills 3

A strong quake shook the southern Philippines, killing at least three people, toppling buildings and sending panicked residents fleeing their homes, mediareports and authorities have said.

The 6.5-magnitude earthquake knocked out power in the city of Surigao on Friday, more than 700 kilometres southeast of the capital Manila, and an unknown number of people are believed to be trapped in rubble.

At least seven people were injured by falling debris inthe quake which the US Geological Survey said struck at a depth of 27 kilometres at 10:00 pm (local time).

The Philippine seismological office recorded a magnitude of 6.7 with an epicentre 14 kilometres north of Surigao. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat.

Three people have died, radio station DZMM reported,citing the military, but no further details were given.

Regional civil defence spokeswoman April Sanchez said seven people were injured outside Surigao while anun determined number had been hurt in the city.

"They can't say how many yet because of the power outage"caused by the earthquake, she told AFP. University professor Rocks Tumadag said many people in Surigao rushed to higher ground after the quake in fear of tsunami.

He said after shocks were still rocking the city hoursafter the quake. "There was panic in the streets," he told AFP, adding that many structures had sustained damage and rubble littered the streets.

"I was sleeping and when the quake happened. There were 10 to 15 seconds of vertical motion." "When it stopped, I grabbed my youngest daughter and ranout side. My wife also ran outside, my eldest daughter wascrying," he said. "We have a lot of quakes here but this was the strongest ever."

A civil defence statement said one bridge had collapsed along with at least one building and several houses. "There were reported trapped individuals inside. Rescue efforts are ongoing," the statement said.

"We are not okay. Mass hysteria here," journalist Danilo Adorador was quoted as saying on the website of Mindanews, a southern-based newspaper.

Vance Larena, a tourist in Surigao, told DZMM that glassdoors and windows "shattered" during the quake. "It was a good thing there was a table there (in the room) so we could duck and cover," he said.

Many residents gathered in a field for safety, he said. The Philippines lies on the so-called Ring of Fire, a vast Pacific Ocean region where many of Earth's earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.