Philippine quake death toll rises to 55 as rescuers reach cut-off areas
What's new: Helicopters are delivering food and water to isolated residents as aftershocks, rain and damaged roads slow searches.
Rescuers in the southern Philippines kept searching Friday for 31 people still missing after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Mindanao on Monday, raising the death toll to 55. Officials say the quake injured hundreds, displaced about 45,000 people and damaged thousands of homes, roads and bridges. In Sarangani province, crews cleared blocked roads while helicopters ferried food and water to communities left without power. More than 2,000 aftershocks, some as strong as magnitude 6.4, and heavy rain have repeatedly interrupted operations. Aid groups including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Philippine Red Cross are prioritizing clean water, sanitation, shelter and medical care.