Rescuers Search for Missing People after Landfill Collapse in the Philippines
Landfill Collapse in Cebu
Rescue teams are actively searching for dozens of missing persons following a landslide at a landfill in the central Philippines, according to officials. Mayor Nestor Archival announced on Saturday that signs of life have been detected in the Cebu City area, two days after the incident. So far, four individuals have been confirmed dead, while another 12 have been transported to the hospital. The conditions for emergency services working on-site are challenging due to risks from unstable debris and the awaited arrival of better equipment.
The privately-owned Binaliw landfill collapsed on Thursday while 110 workers were present, officials stated. In a Facebook post on Saturday morning, Archival noted, "Authorities have confirmed the presence of signs of life in certain areas, necessitating careful excavation and the deployment of a more advanced 50-ton crane." The conditions for rescue workers remain difficult, with debris still unstable.
Relatives of the missing await updates about their loved ones. It is estimated that over 30 individuals, all workers at the landfill, are unaccounted for. "We just hope to save someone... Time is running out, which is why our operation is continuous, 24/7," said Cebu city councilor Dave Tumulak, who is also the president of the city’s emergency council. Jerahmey Espinoza, whose husband is missing, told Reuters, "They haven't seen or located him since the disaster occurred. We are still hopeful that he is alive." The cause of the collapse remains unclear, but councilor Joel Garganera suggested it is likely due to poor waste management practices. Operators have reportedly excavated from the mountain, mined the soil, and then deposited garbage to create another mound of waste, Garganera explained to the local newspaper The Freeman. The Binaliw landfill spans approximately 15 hectares (37 acres). Landfills are common in major cities in the Philippines, such as Cebu, which serves as a commercial hub and transportation gateway for the central islands of the Philippine archipelago.
