Rescue operations in the southern Philippines have been hampered by rain and aftershocks following a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Mindanao on Monday, pushing the death toll to 55 with 31 people still unaccounted for. The tremor triggered landslides and building collapses across the region, cutting off communities in hard-hit Sarangani province where helicopters are delivering food and water to residents who remain without power. Officials have expressed little hope of finding survivors, and President Ferdinand Marcos has pledged 100 million pesos (around US$1.6 million) to rebuild damaged infrastructure in General Santos, the largest city in the affected area.