At least four people have died and dozens remain missing after a landfill collapse in central Philippines, triggering a massive rescue operation that continued into Saturday, local authorities said.
The incident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday at a private landfill in Binaliw, a mountainous area on the outskirts of Cebu City.
Police reported that 34 people are still unaccounted for, most believed to be workers trapped beneath tons of debris when a large section of the facility gave way, according to The New York Times.
“We detected signs of life in some areas,” Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said on social media Saturday, noting that rescuers were awaiting a large crane to help clear the debris. So far, twelve workers have been rescued and taken to hospitals.
Police Captain Wilmer Castillo said teams are racing against time, with voices reportedly heard from beneath the rubble. Around 300 personnel have been deployed for search and rescue operations, while holding areas have been set up for families awaiting news.
“They said those trapped are calling for help, so there is a possibility that my brother is still there,” said Michelle Lumapas, whose sibling works in the landfill’s engineering department, speaking to ABS-CBN.
Mayor Archival said the landfill employed about 110 workers. A 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man have been confirmed dead, while the identities of two other victims have not yet been released. All those reported missing are employees of the facility.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collapse. Archival suggested that ground instability linked to a 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu in September, combined with heavy rainfall seeping into the landfill’s base, may have weakened the foundation.
The landfill, operated by Prime Waste Solutions Cebu, handles roughly 1,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily.
The company said in a local media statement that it is coordinating with government agencies and has suspended operations, while city officials explore alternative waste collection and disposal arrangements.
The tragedy has revived memories of the 2000 Payatas dumpsite collapse in Manila, where more than 200 people were killed after a garbage mound gave way during monsoon rains.
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