Death toll from Philippines quake rises to 72

The death toll from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the central Philippines late on Tuesday has risen to 72, Reuters reported citing the country’s civil defence agency.

Another 294 people were injured.

All fatalities were recorded in the central Visayas region.

The shallow quake struck waters off the central island of Cebu late at night, damaging power lines, bridges and multiple buildings.