MANILA: Dozens of people were killed after a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck a central Philippine province, officials said on Wednesday, as they declared a state of calamity in the whole island province of Cebu. The quake struck off the northern part of the island overnight, with the epicenter in Bogo City — the worst-hit area, where the Office of Civil Defense recorded 30 deaths. The toll of 69 was expected to rise as civilian and army rescuers continued to look for survivors amid the rubble.

Rescue efforts under way after a quake off Cebu Island damages buildings and sends people running onto the streets.

The 6.9-magnitude earthquake shook the province of Cebu, home to 3.2 million people, just before 10 p.m. local time.