1 Killed in 7.3 Quake in Philippines

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 shook remote parts of the Philippines early today, causing at least one death and scattered property damage, officials said.

The U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colo., said the quake was centered in the Pacific Ocean about 40 miles off northeast Mindanao, 560 miles southeast of Manila.

Raymundo Punongbayan, director of the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology, said the quake was felt throughout eastern Mindanao, the second largest Philippine island, and as far north as Legaspi, 400 miles away.

He said the seismic observatory in Bislig, 570 miles southeast of Manila, reported cracked walls and slight damage to instruments. A 7-year-old boy who lived near the observatory died when a concrete wall of his house collapsed.