At least 31 people have been killed in a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake that rocked the central Philippines, knocking out power lines and sending people running out into the streets.

The epicentre was about 12 miles northeast of Bogo, a coastal city of about 90,000 people in Cebu province. At least 14 residents have died, according to authorities.

The quake was set off by movement in a local fault at a depth of three miles, officials said.

The number of people killed is expected to rise as search and rescue operations are under way, officials said.

In the town of Medellin, near Bogo, at least 12 residents died when the ceilings and walls of their homes collapsed, with some asleep at the time, said Gemma Villamor, head of the local disaster office.

In nearby San Remigio, five people

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