1 dead, 38 missing in Philippines landfill collapse after garbage avalanche
Landfills and dumpsites in the Philippines have long posed safety risks, especially where poor residents scavenge for food and recyclables
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Dozens missing in deadly landfill avalanche in Philippines
An avalanche of garbage and debris buried or trapped workers in low-slung buildings at a landfill in the Philippines, killing one person, injuring a dozen and leaving 38 others missing, officials said on Friday.
Dozens of rescuers retrieved 13 people alive overnight and were searching for the missing still trapped after the mountain of garbage, earth and debris collapsed on them on Thursday afternoon in the village of Binaliw in Cebu City, officials and police said.
Landfill workers were among those affected, but it’s not clear if there were neighbouring residents or others involved as well.
One of those rescued, a female landfill worker, died while being brought to a hospital, regional police director Brig Gen Roderick Maranan told Associated Press, adding the rest survived with injuries and were hospitalised.
Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker in the landfill, said the collapse of the mountain of garbage unfolded rapidly without warning and in good weather. The avalanche of rubbish destroyed his office, where he managed to extricate himself with bruises on his face and arms by crawling under the rubble and debris.
“I saw a light and crawled towards it in a hurry because I feared there will be more landslides,” Antigua said. “It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end so this is my second life.”