At least 13 people were killed today when a strong earthquake hit the central Philippines, destroying buildings and triggering landslides which buried dozens of houses, trapping their occupants.

Ports and beaches were temporarily shut and islanders and coastal residents ordered to higher ground up and down Latin America’s Pacific seaboard ahead of the tsunami surge triggered by the killer Japanese quake. But it did little damage.

Up to 30 people were missing today after a mudslide in the northern highlands of Peru, civil defence officials said.

Hurricane Adrian slammed into El Salvador's coast today, President Tony Saca said, cutting off power and forcing officials to close schools and evacuate 14,000 people.