Strong Quake Destroys Homes; at Least 10 Killed
At least 10 people died and 17 were injured after an earthquake hit the southern Philippines, wrecking houses and forcing thousands to flee amid fears of tidal waves.
Five people were killed by falling debris or mudslides, police said, and two others died of heart attacks. Two people were killed by bullets fired into the air by people who believe gunfire frightens away earthquake spirits. One person was electrocuted.
More than 5,000 villagers on Sarangani island fled to high ground, fearing tidal waves. The magnitude 6.8 quake was centered under the sea about 150 miles southwest of General Santos city, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
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