Rescuers have discovered signs of life amid the debris from a garbage avalanche that has resulted in the deaths of at least four workers, with over 30 still unaccounted for at a landfill in central Philippines. Officials announced on Saturday that search operations will be intensified.
Authorities reported that twelve injured workers were saved after a massive collapse of trash at a waste management site in Binariu Village, Cebu City.
A team of rescue workers, including police and firefighters, is racing against time to locate additional survivors, facing hazardous conditions with twisted metal and piles of flammable debris around them.
According to Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archive, “We’ve confirmed the detection of life signs in certain areas, which requires continued careful excavation. We are dispatching a 50-ton crane, escorted by police, to assist in the efforts.”
He added that the safety of response teams remains paramount, noting the dangers posed by unstable debris and potential acetylene risks, which necessitate organized security measures around the site.
The mayor confirmed that the fatalities included an engineer and a female employee, all of whom worked at the landfill, which employs 110 people.
The initial reports indicated two casualties and 36 missing, which rose to four by Saturday, though the exact current number of missing individuals hasn’t been disclosed.
The cause of the structure’s collapse is still unknown, but survivors shared with news outlets that it occurred suddenly, without any prior warning, despite good weather at the time.
Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker at the facility, recounted how a wall of trash fell down, destroying the office he was in. Despite sustaining bruises, he managed to escape by crawling through the debris in the dark.
“As soon as I saw light, I crawled toward it. I was scared there would be more landslides,” Antigua reflected. “It was a traumatic experience. I thought it might be the end for me. So, I feel like I’ve been given a second chance.”
It remains uncertain how this tragedy will impact waste management in Cebu, a bustling port city with around a million residents that acts as a regional center for trade and tourism.
Mayor Archive mentioned that steps are being taken to manage immediate waste collection issues, although further details were not provided.
Landfills and open dumps have long raised health and safety concerns in the Philippines, particularly in poorer neighborhoods where many residents search for food and recyclable materials.
A significant disaster occurred in July 2000 when a garbage pile in a slum area of Quezon City collapsed and caught fire after several days of heavy rain. That incident resulted in more than 200 deaths and led to the closure of illegal dump sites and the implementation of new legislation for safer waste management practices.
