Powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake strikes the Philippines: People are urged to move inland as dramatic footage shows church tower collapse

A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake has struck the Philippines.

The earthquake struck near the Eastern Visayas region in the Philippines on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. 

People have been urged to stay away from the beach and move further inland amid fears of aftershocks.

The quake sent people dashing out into streets, damaged a stone church and knocked out power in some areas. 

There was no tsunami threat after the earthquake, which had a shallow epicentre of around 11km, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Local officials said no immediate reports of casualties or major damage were received yet, but inspections are underway across Cebu and neighboring provinces. 

Very strong shaking from the earthquake could bring ‘considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures,’ said the USGS.

Dramatic footage showed a church tower collapsing Bantayan Island as onlookers wail in fear. 

Parts of St. Peter and Paul Church, including a large cross and lighting decorations, crumbled to the floor as the ground rattled. 

Another church, the Archdiocesan Shrine of Santa Rosa de Lima in the town of Daanbantayan, Cebu, collapsed into a pile of rubble following the quake. Power also went out in the town.

A beauty pageant in Cebu City was halted as the building shook.

Authorities warned that aftershocks are expected in the coming days, urging residents to remain vigilant. 

The local seismology office warned of a possible ‘minor sea-level disturbance’ and urged residents of the central islands of Leyte, Cebu and Biliran to ‘stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast’. 

The Philippines lies on the ‘Ring of Fire’, a belt of volcanoes circling the Pacific Ocean that is prone to seismic activity. 

Earthquakes occur frequently but most are too weak to be felt by humans.

But strong and destructive ones come at random, with no technology available to predict when and where they might strike.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.