6 February 2012
Last updated at 21:55 ET
Damaged roads and bridges pose challenges for rescue workers and the transport of aid
Rescue efforts are continuing after Monday’s powerful earthquake in the central Philippines that left at least 15 dead and 44 missing.
Army teams were carrying out search operations, said Ver Neil Balaba, operations officer at the regional Office of Civil Defence, and police had been deployed to prevent looting.
”The most urgent needs now are water, tents and food,” he said.
The quake hit 70km north of Dumaguete city on Negros island.
The 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck at 11:49 (03:49 GMT) at a depth of 20km, according to the US Geological Survey.
As of 08:00 local time, the toll was 15 confirmed dead, 44 reported missing and 52 injured, according to an official report.
The death toll includes two children, according to the government’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
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