Rescuers have identified “signs of life” within a trash avalanche that claimed the lives of at least four workers and left over 30 individuals unaccounted for in a landfill in central Philippines. The search and rescue efforts are set to be intensified, according to an official on Saturday.
In the village of Binaliw in Cebu City, a collapse of a massive heap of garbage occurred among the low-lying structures of a waste management facility, resulting in the rescue of twelve injured workers. Teams of rescuers, including police, firefighters, and disaster response personnel, have been working tirelessly to locate more survivors amidst the hazardous conditions of twisted metal roofs, iron bars, and flammable piles of debris.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival stated that signs of life have been detected in specific areas, necessitating cautious excavation and the deployment of an advanced 50-ton crane with police escort. Safety precautions are being strictly observed due to risks such as unstable debris and acetylene hazards, leading to adjustments in the security perimeter and controlled access.
The casualties, which include an engineer and an office employee, were employees of the landfill and waste management facility, which employs 110 staff members. Initially, the list of victims included two deceased and 36 missing individuals, but the death toll rose to four on Saturday, as confirmed by Archival, who did not provide an updated count of the missing persons.
The cause of the garbage mound collapse remains unclear, although a survivor recounted that it occurred suddenly without warning, despite favorable weather conditions at the time. Jaylord Antigua, an office worker at the landfill, described his escape from the administrative office that was destroyed in the avalanche, highlighting the traumatic experience and his relief at surviving.
The impact of the incident on garbage disposal operations at the Cebu landfill is uncertain, as the city, a key regional hub for trade and tourism, braces for potential challenges in managing waste collection. Efforts are underway to address the impending garbage collection issue, as mentioned by Mayor Archival without elaborating further.
Throughout the Philippines, landfills and open dump sites have raised safety and health concerns, particularly in proximity to impoverished communities where residents scavenge for items in the waste piles. In a tragic incident in July 2000 in a shantytown in suburban Quezon City, a massive garbage heap collapse following stormy weather led to a fire, resulting in numerous fatalities and the implementation of legislation mandating the closure of illicit dump sites nationwide and enhancing sustainable waste management practices.