20 killed in strong Philippine quake

People walk past the damaged Church of San Pedro in the town Loboc, Bohol, after a major 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the region, on Oct 15, 2013. The earthquake hit near one of the Philippines key tourist hubs, the United States Geological Survey reported. [Photo/CFP]

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - A magnitude-7.2 quake that jolted central part of the Philippines on Tuesday has cut power and caused panic several hundred of kilometers from the epicenter, local residents said.

At least four people have been confirmed killed as the temblor struck central Philippine province of Bohol at 8:12 am local time, with the quake felt as far as southern Philippine city of Davao, local media reported.

In the southern Philippine city of Butuan, in Agusan del Norte province, a power blackout happened as terrified residents rushed out of their homes amid the morning rush hour.

"We felt the shaking here for almost a minute. It was as if you're being rocked on a swing, people felt dizzy," said Butuan resident Jenirose Torotoro.

"The city had a brownout for over an hour," she told Xinhua by mobile phone.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said the tectonic quake was centered two to five kilometers from Carmen town, Bohol, with shaking felt as far as Davao City in Mindanao.

There were reports of damages to houses and other buildings.

The Philippines sits on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire where earthquakes and volcanic activity are common due to frequent colliding of continental plates.