Rescuers in the southern Philippines battled rain and aftershocks as the death toll from a powerful earthquake rose to 55. The 7.8 magnitude quake struck off Mindanao earlier this week and caused widespread destruction. Authorities said dozens remain missing and hopes of survival are rapidly fading. The earthquake hit near General Santos on Monday and triggered tsunami warnings across the region, damaging infrastructure and cutting off several communities.
The tremor destroyed buildings, blocked roads, and triggered landslides that left key routes impassable. Emergency teams used helicopters to deliver food and water to isolated areas still without electricity. Officials said access remains limited in several hard-hit districts due to debris and damaged infrastructure.
On Friday, authorities confirmed additional deaths as recovery operations continued across affected provinces. Heavy machinery was deployed to clear blocked roads and restore access to remote regions. However, rainfall and frequent aftershocks repeatedly slowed rescue and recovery efforts on the ground.
Disaster officials said the search for survivors is continuing but chances of finding people alive are extremely low. They reported 31 people still missing and said operations are now focused on recovery of bodies rather than rescue. Provincial officials said time has significantly reduced survival prospects in affected areas.
President Ferdinand Marcos visited affected regions and announced funding support for rebuilding damaged public infrastructure. Authorities said a full assessment of destruction is still underway as emergency response efforts continue. Relief and rehabilitation planning is expected to follow once search operations conclude.