Death toll rises after powerful quake hits central Philippines

MANILA (Reuters) — The death toll from a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in the central Philippines has risen to 27 with more than 140 people injured, and officials on Wednesday warned the numbers could climb further as rescuers access collapsed buildings.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City in Cebu province in the central Visayas region just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, causing power outages and bringing down buildings, including a church that was more than 100 years old.

Cebu province, one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations, is home to 3.4 million people. Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the country’s second busiest gateway, remained operational.

The quake struck hardest in northern Cebu,

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