Philippine Quake Damage Less Than Feared; Two Dead

MANILA — Damage and injuries from a powerful earthquake that rocked the Philippines before dawn were less severe than first feared, officials said Sunday.

The quake, which struck the main island of Luzon just after 2 a.m. Sunday, had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8, strong enough to cause serious damage. But hours later, the death toll was two people. About two dozen others, mostly children, were injured, relief officials said.

Buildings swayed dramatically when the quake hit, flinging objects off tables and cracking walls. Many residents rushed from their beds into the streets.

Power was knocked out in much of Manila and surrounding areas as safety devices tripped at five power plants. It remained out in some places more than 14 hours later.

An 11-year-old girl was killed by a concrete wall that collapsed while she slept at home in Masinloc, rescue officials said. A 60-year-old woman died of a heart attack in nearby Pangasinan province.