A powerful bomb ripped through an airport in the Philippines' second largest city, Davao, on Tuesday killing at least 19 people and injuring 144, CNN reported.

The explosion, which destroyed the waiting area at the Davao City airport on Mindanao Island, struck at about 5.30 pm. local time.

Among the dead was one American; three other Americans were injured, US Embassy attache Ronald Post said.

He did not identify the dead American.