Philippine Quake Death Toll Reaches 55, Rescue Efforts Continue In Mindanao
Philippine quake toll rises as rescue operations face delays.
Rescue operations in the southern Philippines continued under difficult conditions on Friday as heavy rain and recurring aftershocks hampered efforts to search for survivors following a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao earlier this week. The disaster, which hit on Monday, has now left at least 55 people dead, according to updated government figures, while dozens remain missing as authorities continue verification across affected regions.
The earthquake caused widespread destruction across parts of Mindanao, bringing down buildings, triggering landslides and prompting tsunami warnings across surrounding coastal areas. Emergency response teams have been working to clear debris, reopen blocked roads and reach communities that remain cut off from essential supplies such as food, clean water and electricity. Authorities have deployed heavy machinery, including backhoes, to remove large boulders and clear critical routes.
In the hard-hit province of Sarangani, disaster response officials reported that while several major roads have been reopened, challenging weather conditions continue to disrupt operations. Provincial disaster chief Rene Punzalan said that helicopters are being used to deliver relief supplies to isolated communities still inaccessible by road. He added that aftershocks, combined with persistent rainfall, have forced temporary pauses in search and recovery work at multiple sites.
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Officials involved in the rescue operations have expressed concern over the chances of finding additional survivors. With several days having passed since the earthquake, recovery teams say their focus is increasingly shifting from rescue to retrieval efforts. Authorities noted that ongoing seismic activity continues to pose risks to both responders and residents, complicating efforts to fully assess the extent of the damage across remote areas.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr visited parts of General Santos, one of the worst-affected cities, on Wednesday. During his visit, he inspected damaged infrastructure, including a school and an emergency aid distribution centre. The government has announced a funding allocation of 100 million pesos (approximately $1.6 million) to support reconstruction efforts, including the rebuilding of the city hall and other essential public facilities.
As recovery operations continue, officials say the priority remains restoring access, delivering humanitarian assistance and assessing structural damage across the region. However, unpredictable weather and continuing aftershocks are expected to slow progress in the coming days, leaving affected communities to rely heavily on coordinated relief efforts from national and local agencies.
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