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A SUDDEN collapse of a massive pile of waste and debris at a landfill in Cebu, Philippines, has claimed one life, injured twelve others, and left 38 people unaccounted for Rescue teams continue to search through the rubble amid fears for the missing workers.
The disaster struck on Thursday afternoon in the village of Binaliw, burying workers and low-lying buildings under a mountain of garbage and soil.
AP reported today that a team of rescuers managed to extract 13 people alive overnight, while search efforts continue for those still trapped.
Among the rescued, a female landfill worker died en route to hospital, according to Brigadier General Roderick Maranan, regional police director. The remainder sustained injuries and were admitted for treatment.
Jaylord Antigua, a 31-year-old office worker at the landfill, described the terrifying collapse. “It happened suddenly, without warning, and in good weather,” he said.
“I saw a light and crawled toward it in a hurry because I feared there would be more landslides. It was traumatic. I feared that it was my end, so this is my second life.”
Antigua sustained bruises to his face and arms but survived after extricating himself from the debris.
Cebu Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed that search and rescue operations remain ongoing. “All response teams remain fully engaged in search and retrieval efforts to locate the remaining missing persons with strict adherence to safety protocols,” he said.
“The city government assures the public and the families of those affected that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure safety, transparency, accountability and compassionate assistance as operations continue.”
Photographs released by authorities showed rescuers with earth-moving equipment sifting through destroyed buildings, their twisted tin roofs and bent iron beams a stark reminder of the disaster. Relatives gathered nearby, anxiously awaiting news, with some pleading for the search to be accelerated.
One of the structures struck by the avalanche housed a warehouse where workers separated recyclable waste and rubbish, Maranan said. It remains unclear if nearby homes were affected. The landfill employs approximately 110 staff.
Landfills and open dumpsites have long been a source of concern in the Philippines, particularly near poor communities where residents scavenge for food and materials.
The country suffered a similar tragedy in July 2000, when a collapsed garbage mound in a Quezon City dumpsite killed over 200 people and destroyed numerous homes, prompting the enactment of stricter waste management regulations.
Authorities are expected to hold an emergency meeting at the facility on Friday to review safety protocols and ongoing operations. - January 9, 2026