Earthquake kills 2 in central Philippines

At least two people were killed and 40 others injured following a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that jolted central Philippines Thursday, officials said.

Rowena Codilla, mayor of Kananga municipality in central Leyte province, confirmed one fatality under her jurisdiction, GMA News reported.

She said that the exact numbers of casualties is not yet determined as search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Codilla also said that a two-story building collapsed as a result of the quake.

Richard Gomez, mayor of Ormoc city, said that one person was killed and 40 others injured in the city.

"There were just minor injuries, others were traumatized by the quake," GMA News quoted Gomez as saying.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the tremor that hit eight kilometers off Jaro, Leyte at a depth of 2 kilometers, occurred at 4:03 p.m. (0803 GMT).

PHIVOLCS warned the public of aftershocks as well as damages from the strong quake but clarified that there is no threat of tsunamis.

Power outages were also experienced in some cities affected by the quake.