World

Rescue workers search for survivors of 6.8 earthquake

21:37 pm on 7 February 2012

Rescue workers in the Philippines are searching for survivors after an earthquake that killed dozens of people.

The Philippines military has put the current death toll at 43, but rescuers are still searching for about 29 people missing in rubble and landslides triggered by the earthquake.

Damage to roads and bridges is preventing authorities getting to the affected areas, and some areas are too remote and steep to access.

The 6-point-7-magnitude quake struck in the narrow strait between the heavily populated islands of Negros and Cebu.

The ABC reports it was about 50kms from the major population centre of Cebu, home to more than 2 million people.

High-rise buildings appear to have been largely unaffected but some bridges have been cut.