Philippines begins clean-up after devastating twin earthquakes

DAZED survivors of a pair of major earthquakes in the southern Philippines awoke yesterday to scenes of devastation, after hundreds of aftershocks rocked the region overnight.

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Many coastal residents of Mindanao island had slept outdoors, fearful of being crushed to death by aftershocks of the 7.4and 6.7-magnitude quakes that struck off the coast within hours of each other on Friday.

Philippine authorities said at least eight people were killed. Officials described damage to roads, bridges, schools and other public infrastructure as “minimal” but have yet to determine how many people lost their homes.

In Manay, a Mindanao municipality of 40000 residents, people were removing debris and sweeping up broken glass from homes and other buildings on Saturday.

“Our small house and our small store were destroyed,” resident Ven Lupogan said.“We have nowhere to sleep. There’s no electricity. We have nothing to eat.”