Rescue workers are racing to find dozens of people still missing following a landslide at a landfill site in the central Philippines earlier this week, an official has said. Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that signs of life have been detected at the site in Cebu City, two days after the incident. Four people have been confirmed dead so far, and 12 others have been taken to the hospital.
The challenging conditions for emergency services stem from unstable debris, with crews awaiting better equipment to assist in the search. The privately-owned Binaliw landfill collapsed while 110 workers were present on site. Archival shared on Facebook that authorities have confirmed signs of life in specific areas, necessitating careful excavation.
Relatives of those missing are growing increasingly anxious. More than 30 workers at the landfill are thought to be unaccounted for. Cebu City councillor Dave Tumulak emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, We are just hoping that we can get someone alive... We are racing against time.
As rescue efforts continue, the cause of the collapse has yet to be clarified. Councillor Joel Garganera indicated that poor waste management practices, including cutting into the mountain for soil and piling garbage, may be to blame. The Binaliw landfill spans approximately 15 hectares (37 acres) and is a common site type in major Philippine cities like Cebu.
The challenging conditions for emergency services stem from unstable debris, with crews awaiting better equipment to assist in the search. The privately-owned Binaliw landfill collapsed while 110 workers were present on site. Archival shared on Facebook that authorities have confirmed signs of life in specific areas, necessitating careful excavation.
Relatives of those missing are growing increasingly anxious. More than 30 workers at the landfill are thought to be unaccounted for. Cebu City councillor Dave Tumulak emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, We are just hoping that we can get someone alive... We are racing against time.
As rescue efforts continue, the cause of the collapse has yet to be clarified. Councillor Joel Garganera indicated that poor waste management practices, including cutting into the mountain for soil and piling garbage, may be to blame. The Binaliw landfill spans approximately 15 hectares (37 acres) and is a common site type in major Philippine cities like Cebu.
