Aid workers have described scenes of terror as a triple quake rattled the Philippine islands of Negros and Cebu yesterday morning local time. A tsunami alert was issued in the immediate aftermath but later cancelled.

The Philippine Army has put the death toll at 43.

World Vision staff member Bing Duran, who is based Cebu, says people quickly evacuated their homes and offices as the ground began to violently shake.

"People fled into the streets when the first quake (measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale) struck. Everyone was really worried that the buildings might fall down. People are still scared to go back indoors because there have been some major aftershocks."

Many homes in Negros and Cebu are constructed from simple building materials and are not resistant to even minor quakes.

"People scrambled to higher ground fearing a tsunami. There were traffic jams as people tried to flee inland" adds Ms Duran.

Local Government authorities say it will take some time to establish the extent of the damage. World Vision is currently assessing the situation to see what relief aid is required.

The aid agency has worked in the Philippines since 1957 and has long-term programmes and projects in both Cebu and Negros.