Philippines quake death toll rises to 69

The death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit the central Philippines has risen to 69, Reuters reported citing a local official in charge of disaster response.

Search and rescue operations, as well as efforts to restore power and water supplies are ongoing.

In Bogo city in the north of Cebu province, which was near the epicentre of the shallow quake that struck off the coast just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, the hospital has been "overwhelmed," Reuters quoted Civil Defense official Raffy Alejandro as saying.

The death toll of 69 was based on data from the Cebu provincial disaster office and was subject to validation, said Jane Abapo, an information officer at the regional Civil Defense office, according to Reuters. Another official said more than 150 people were injured.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured survivors of swift assistance, saying cabinet secretaries were on the ground directing relief operations, as he expressed his condolences to those who lost loved ones.

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