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More than 100 people are also injured after the quake hit the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Provincial disaster management officer Ramon Gotinga said that most of those killed had died due to falling objects.

EPA A powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake has hit the Philippines - situated in the Ring of Fire

REUTERS Vehicles pass cracks along the National Highway

A bridge and hotel collapsed, with power and water supplies to parts of Surigao cut off. Regional civil defence chief Rosauro Arnel Gonzales said several houses had collapsed and search and rescue teams had been dispatched to make sure no one was inside.

EPA Buildings saw significant damage on the island of Mindanao

Officals say Surigao's airport was also temporarily closed after deep cracks appeared in the runway. The earthquake was the strongest in the region for more than 100 years. The last time such a powerful quake hit was in 1879. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that there is no risk a tsunami hitting in the aftermath.

EPA Villages inspect a damaged bridge in the city of Surigao

Renato Solidum, head of the Philippines' seismic agency, said on Saturday morning 89 aftershocks had been recorded. He said more could be expected but they were unlikely to cause significant damage.

EPA Surigao airport was temporarily closed after cracks appeared in the runway