The magnitude 7.2 earthquake in the Philippines killed 20 people

A recent 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol province, Philippines, killed at least 20 people without a tsunami warning.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake occurred around 8: 12 (local time), about 5km east of Balilihan city, in the Bohol Islands area, at a depth of 56km. The epicenter is 629km from Manila.

San Pedro Church in Loboc town, Bohol province collapsed after the earthquake struck.(Photo: AFP)

Baliliha is located on Cebu Strait, about 60km from Cebu City. Cebu is a popular tourist destination in the Philippines and the fifth most populous city in the country.

Radio DYSS quoted Raquel Arce, Cebu city market manager, said 4 people were killed and many others were injured by a collapsed fish market.

USGS has issued a level of gold warning after the earthquake and "has local losses, damages and impacts. Yellow warning requires a local or regional response." .

The area where the earthquake occurred (arrow) this morning in the Philippines.(Photo: Google Maps)

After the earthquake are two aftershocks with magnitudes greater than 5 Richter levels. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did not issue a tsunami warning and there were no official reports of casualties and damage, AFP said.

The Philippines is located geographically on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a chain of islands that frequently occur erupting earthquakes and volcanoes.