The landslide in Cebu City has claimed several lives.
CEBU CITY LANDSLIDE – As of the latest report, four confirmed deaths were listed, while dozens were buried.
A landslide has occurred in Barangay Binaliw landfill in Cebu City. Reportedly, the incident happened at around 4 PM on Thursday, and initially, more than 30 people went missing, and 1 dead. According to the officials, the continuous rainfall softened the soil, which resulted in a landslide of waste and the MRF’s collapse.
About 50 sanitation workers were buried, and rescuers are facing the dangers of further collapse, as per Cebu rescuer Jo Reyes. She said, “Operations are ongoing as of the moment. It is continuous. (But) from time to time, the landfill is moving, and that will temporarily stop the operation.”
As of Friday, 14 people were rescued out of the landslide, and two of them were dead. The rest were rushed to the hospital.
Based on the latest report, four fatalities have been confirmed. For now, while the rescue operation is still ongoing, the priority is the safety of the rescuers, as there are risks of unstable debris and acetylene. A more advanced 50-ton crane will also be deployed at the site to excavate areas where signs of life have been identified.
“Preparations are also underway to manage the looming garbage collection issue, temporary staging arrangements, and documentation for death certification and release of remains,” Mayor Nestor Archival said.
More than 30 people are still missing.
The landfill serves as a main disposal site for garbage from Cebu City. The city started dumping its waste there in 2019 when it was still operated by ARN Central Waste Management Incorporated, before Prime Integrated Waste Solutions Incorporated, a subsidiary of tycoon Enrique Razon’s Prime Infra has assumed management in 2023.
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