Philippines hit by deadly earthquakes

The scene in Itbayat town following the quakes. Photo: AP

At least eight people were killed and dozens more injured when twin earthquakes struck islands in the northern Philippines early Saturday.



Both earthquakes hit the province of Batanes, a group of sparsely populated islets north of the nation's largest Luzon island.



Terrified residents fled their homes and images in the Philippine media showed collapsed masonry homes as well as deep cracks in paved roads.



The quakes - of magnitude 5.4 and 5.9 - struck within hours of each other, according to the US Geological Survey. No tsunami alerts were issued.



Many people were still asleep when the first tremor struck around 4.15am local time, followed just under four hours later by the second stronger jolt.



Mayor Raul de Sagon said eight people had been killed and around 60 others were hurt. The extent of their injuries was not immediately clear.



Police sergeant Uzi Villa said: "We saw houses shaking. Some of the walls of the houses collapsed and fell on the victims."



The Philippines is part of the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches from quake-prone Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. (AFP)