4 Dead, Dozens Missing As Landfill Collapses In Philippines

At least four people have died and dozens remained missing after a massive landfill collapsed in Cebu City, central Philippines, with rescuers racing against time to find survivors, officials said.

The disaster struck the Binaliw landfill on Thursday, where 110 workers were on duty. Several structures and facilities inside the landfill were damaged when the massive heap of waste gave way.

Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival confirmed in a Facebook post on Saturday that four people had died, while 12 others were hospitalized.

As of Friday, 36 workers were still missing, though authorities have not released an updated figure.

Rescuers, including police, firefighters, and disaster-response teams, have been working tirelessly under hazardous conditions. Twisted tin roofs, sharp iron bars, and combustible piles of waste have made the search for survivors extremely challenging.

“Authorities confirmed the presence of detected signs of life in specific areas, requiring continued careful excavation and the deployment of a more advanced 50-ton crane, which is enroute with police escort,” Mayor Archival said in a statement.

“Safety of responders remains paramount due to hazards such as unstable debris and acetylene risks, prompting adjustments to the security perimeter and controlled access,” he added.

Among the dead are an engineer and a female office worker, all employees of the landfill and waste management facility, which has 110 staff, according to authorities.

The cause of the collapse remains unclear. A survivor told The Associated Press that the mountain of rubbish gave way instantly, without warning, despite relatively good weather at the time.