Earthquake in southern Philippines kills 6

A rescue official says the death toll from a powerful nighttime earthquake in the southern Philippines has risen to six with about 126 people injured by falling debris and blunt objects, AFP reports.

15 of the injured are in critical condition.

The quake late on Friday night with a magnitude of 6.5 roused residents from sleep in Surigao del Norte province, sending hundreds to flee their homes. The quake was centred about 14 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital of Surigao at a relatively shallow depth of 11 kilometres.

Provincial disaster-response official Ramon Gotinga says at least 15 people have been killed, citing hospital reports. He says at least 90 others are injured in Surigao city, about 700 kilometres southeast of Manila.