Rescuers comb rubble after death toll in Philippines earthquake climbs to 37

Two people are believed to be trapped under a collapsed building in the Philippines after a powerful earthquake killed at least 37 people and injured hundreds.

GENERAL SANTOS, Philippines — Rescuers searched the rubble on Tuesday of a collapsed building in the southern Philippine city of General Santos, the worst hit by a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 37 people and injured hundreds, to reach two people still believed to be trapped inside.

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Regional fire officer Edgar Tanawan, who is leading the operation, told Reuters two people had been pulled out alive from the commercial building, housing a grocery store and other businesses, but a third was found dead. Scanners have so far detected no signs of life from the remaining two, he added.

“It’s difficult to accept, as a mother, that my son is still trapped there,” said Dioslinda Deluvio, distraught as she waited outside the building for news of her son. “I don’t know… it’s very hard to accept.