Philippine earthquake death toll at 171

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 7 on Friday said that the death toll of the worst earthquake that hit the Philippines in two decades rose to 171 while more than 305 others were injure , with at least 20 still missing and feared trapped under rubble. Most of the victims were from Bohol province, the epicentre of Tuesday's magnitude-7.2 tremor, where 159 were killed, the Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported today quoting the Chief Superintendent of PNP Region 7. Bohol is 640 kilometres south of Manila. Twelve were killed in the nearby provinces of Cebu and Siquijor,while 375 were injured, according to the national disaster risk management agency. Emergency workers rushed food, water, medicines, tents and other relief goods to the quake survivors, many of whom were staying outdoors for fear of aftershocks. Search and rescue operations are going on in the municipalities of Loon and Carmen in Bohol Province in search of other vicrtims.